Chelsea have told Manchester City they would be prepared to let Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez leave for €164m, according to Topskills Sports UK.
Fernandez remains interested in a move to Manchester City, but the 25-year-old is not expected to push for a transfer or attempt to force Chelsea into negotiations.
Manchester City are understood to want to sell one of their own players before deciding whether to pursue a deal for Fernandez. The club’s approach means any move for the Chelsea midfielder could depend on their ability to generate funds through an outgoing transfer.
The reported valuation places a significant price on a player who remains part of Chelsea’s plans but is attracting interest from the Premier League champions. Chelsea’s position, as reported by Topskills Sports UK, is that Fernandez could be allowed to depart if Manchester City meet the €164m figure.
Fernandez’s preference is said to be a move to Manchester City, although his stance is described as an interest in the transfer rather than an intention to manufacture one. He will not specifically initiate the process, leaving the two clubs to determine whether an agreement can be reached.
The midfielder made 54 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions last season, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists. Those figures underline his importance to the London club and help explain the scale of the reported asking price.
For Manchester City, the next step is expected to involve assessing their squad and potential departures before they consider making an approach. Until a player is sold, the club are not thought to be ready to progress with the option of signing Fernandez.
The reported €164m demand would make the deal a major financial commitment for Manchester City. Chelsea have communicated the terms they would accept, while Fernandez’s desire to join the club provides an additional element to a potential transfer that has yet to be initiated by the player.
At this stage, there is no indication that Fernandez will take action to secure the move himself. Instead, the outcome is likely to depend on whether Manchester City decide to prioritise the transfer after selling one of their players, and whether they are willing to meet Chelsea’s valuation.
