Chelsea has issued a strict deadline of 5pm tomorrow for Manchester City to pay £120 million to acquire Enzo Fernandez. If the payment is not met, the London-based club intends to keep the Argentine midfielder.
The £120 million ultimatum and the 5pm Thursday deadline
Chelsea has shifted from negotiation to a hard-line ultimatum, demanding that Manchester City finalize a £120 million payment by 5pm on Thursday. According to the report, the Stamford Bridge club has made it clear that if this specific financial demand is not met by the cutoff, Manchester City should "forget about the transfer" entirely.
This aggressive stance suggests that Chelsea is leveraging the closing window to force a decision. By setting a precise hour for the deadline, Chelsea is effectively removing the possibility of protracted haggling, placing the entire burden of the move on Manchester City's willingness to pay a premium fee for the 25-year-old.
Enzo Maresca's pursuit of a former associate
The drive to bring Enzo Fernandez to the Etihad Stadium is heavily influenced by Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca. As reported by Daily Mail Sport, Maresca shares a strong professionnal relationship with the midfielder, dating back to a period when Maresca served as a coach at Chelsea.
This personal connection adds a layer of tactical urgency to the deal. Manchester City is not merely looking for a midfield upgrade but is seeking a player who already understands the philosophy and demands of their current manager,potentially reducing the integration time for the Argentine star.
The Atlanta semi-final friction and the deleted X post
The transfer saga is complicated by Enzo Fernandez's volatile relationship with the English public. During a World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, which Argentina won 2-1, Fernandez scored an equalizer in the 85th minute and proceeded to taunt England supporters by cupping his ears and blowing a kiss.
This moment of friction extended to the club level when Chelsea was forced to delete a post on X that celebrated the goal. the post triggered a "furious response" from fans across the country, highlighting the PR risk Manchester City may face by bringing a player with such a provocative public image into the spotlight of the Premier League.
Javier Pastore and the six-year contract hurdle
Chelsea holds a significant advantage in these negotiations due to the length of the player's current commitment. Enzo Fernandez has six years remaining on his contract, meaning Chelsea is under no pressure to sell. The club's valuation of £120 million was previously confirmed to the player's agent , Javier Pastore, indicating that the price is non-negotiable .
Despite the clarity of the price tag, several questions remain. It is unclear if Manchester City's internal valuation aligns with the £120 million demand or if they are attempting to structure the deal with add-ons that Chelsea has already rejected. Furthermore, the report focuses on Chelsea's demands, leaving it unknown whether Enzo Fernandez himself has formally requested a move to Manchester City or if he is content to remain at Stamford Bridge.
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