Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that his team will not be able to meet Chelsea's deadline for the transfer of midfielder Enzo Fernández. Chelsea set a firm deadline of 5pm on August 14, 2026, for City to match their £120 million valuation for the Argentine player. If this deadline is not met, Fernández will remain at Stamford Bridge for the remainder of the transfer window.
Speaking ahead of the Community Shield match against Arsenal, Maresca stated, "Not today, to be honest. I don't think we're going to do something today." His comments indicate that City is unlikely to make a late move for the midfielder. The manager emphasized that any further transfer activity would depend on potential player departures from the club, particularly in light of the speculation surrounding Rodri's future amid interest from Barcelona.
Chelsea's decision to impose a deadline reflects their intention to resolve Fernández's future before the start of the 2026/27 season. With Maresca's latest remarks, it appears that Manchester City's chances of acquiring Fernández before the deadline are diminishing. If no unexpected developments occur, Chelsea is poised to retain the midfielder, leaving City to consider other transfer options as the window approaches its close.
Sources
- NotJustOk Original article
