Take him or leave him: Chelsea give Man City until Friday to meet £120m Enzo Fernandez price tag

Chelsea have given interested clubs — most notably Manchester City — until Friday at 5pm to meet a £120 million asking price for Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, with manager Xabi Alonso eager to resolve the situation before the Blues’ Premier League season opener against Fulham on August 24.

As reported by football.london, City’s interest has intensified in recent days, with incoming manager Enzo Maresca keen on a reunion with his former player. Fernandez is also seen as a potential Rodri replacement, with the Spanish midfielder expected to join Barcelona.

Daily Post reports that Fernandez communicated his desire to leave Stamford Bridge in May. Real Madrid were initial frontrunners before publicly ruling out a move. If no club meets Chelsea’s deadline, the 25-year-old is expected to feature in Alonso’s squad against Fulham. In 54 Premier League appearances under Maresca, Fernandez scored 11 goals and provided eight assists.