Manchester City Targets Fernandez Amid Chelsea's Deadline

Manchester City are readying a fresh move for Fernandez, undeterred by an informal deadline from Chelsea that has quietly come and gone earlier in the window.

The midfielder, valued at around £120 million, has been at the centre of transfer noise all summer and remains one of the most talked‑about potential exits from Stamford Bridge. City are expected to test Chelsea’s resolve again with another bid before the September 1 deadline.

Alonso plans to use Fernandez – for now

For Xabi Alonso, though, the focus is immediate. He expects Fernandez to play a part in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town on Thursday, as reported by The Independent.

“Yes, so we expect that he's involved. He has trained, he's training really well, he's a good professional and he will be involved,” Alonso confirmed.

Fernandez came off the bench in Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Fulham on Monday and was greeted warmly by the away end at Craven Cottage. It marked a notable shift from pre-season at Stamford Bridge, where sections of the support booed him following his controversial role in Argentina's World Cup semi-final victory over England.

The mood has softened. The speculation has not.

Pressed on whether he wants to keep Fernandez, Alonso stopped short of any guarantees, instead stressing the need for a wider view of the club’s position.

“We want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities. He has shown it and we have to wait, but we will think about tomorrow and let's see how things develop,” he said.

Chelsea eye Alex Scott as potential successor

Behind the scenes, Chelsea are already sketching out contingencies. If Fernandez does go, the club are prepared to return to Bournemouth with a renewed push for Alex Scott.

Bournemouth have so far rebuffed all interest, but there is a growing belief that an offer in excess of £80 million – and probably closer to £90 million – could force a rethink on the south coast.

Alonso, though, refused to tie any Fernandez decision directly to the success or failure of a move for a replacement.

“It is always about understanding the context, the situation, timings, circumstances, so there is not a defined rule for everything,” he explained. “You need to know how things have worked, what you want, what you want for the future, so I don't have the rules in stone. We need to assess each situation.”

So the clock ticks towards September 1. City circle, Fernandez trains, Chelsea weigh up a bid for Scott. One midfielder’s future could yet reshape the final days of the window at both ends of the Premier League.