CHELSEA SET £120M DEADLINE FOR FERNANDEZ TRANSFER OFFERS

Chelsea have set a Friday deadline of 17:00 BST for clubs to submit offers of £120m or more for midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to official statements from the club. The Argentina international has faced uncertainty over his future since March, when he first indicated a desire to leave Stamford Bridge. His agent Javier Pastore stated publicly that the player was underpaid and sought a move following a difficult season in which Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League and lost the FA Cup final to Manchester City.

Real Madrid announced they have "no intention" of signing Fernandez, leaving Manchester City as the only known potential suitor. Manchester City appointed Enzo Maresca, who departed Chelsea midway through the previous season, as their new manager. Chelsea signed Fernandez from Benfica for £107m in 2023 and are expected to maintain their £120m valuation. The club has indicated willingness to fully reintegrate Fernandez into the squad and allow him to continue as a key player. New manager Xabi Alonso has spoken to Fernandez about his future but declined to disclose details of their conversation.

Fernandez scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in 54 appearances for Chelsea last season. He subsequently helped Argentina reach the World Cup final, where he was sent off as the team lost to Spain 1-0. The deadline is intended to resolve uncertainty before the start of the season and provide interested clubs approximately 60 days to complete a deal. Fernandez returned to training with Chelsea this week for the first time under Alonso's management.