Chelsea will not consider bids for Enzo Fernandez after 5pm on Friday

Chelsea has imposed a 5 pm Friday deadline for clubs to submit bids for midfielder Enzo Fernandez, after which no offers will be considered, according to the Press Association. The 25-year-old midfielder, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for £107 million, told the club in May he wished to leave, with a £120 million price tag attached.

Despite no concrete bids in over two months, Manchester City have emerged as a potential destination, though their offer is believed to fall short of Chelsea's valuation. Chelsea's internal frustration with the media frenzy surrounding the transfer has been noted, with one source describing the situation as a "circus." The club maintains determination to ensure this matter does not distract from Xabi Alonso and his squad as the Premier League season begins.

Should no team make a bid acceptable to the club by the deadline, Chelsea will consider the matter closed. The relationship between Chelsea and Fernandez has been strained, with the player suspended internally in April for expressing a desire to move to Madrid and later stating he was unsure about his future beyond the summer. Fernandez's agent, Javier Pastore, publicly criticized his perceived underpayment in March, confirming his desire to leave following a disappointing season where Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League.