Chelsea now expect midfielder Enzo Fernandez to remain at the club after Manchester City declined to make a formal offer before the transfer deadline, according to multiple reports published on Friday.
Sky Sports, ESPN, The Guardian, BBC, and The Times all reported that City did not submit a bid before the 5pm cutoff. Chelsea's expectation, per The Guardian and BBC, is that Fernandez will stay. The Times similarly reported that no bids arrived before the deadline.
The transfer speculation centered on a Sky Sports analysis piece that questioned how transfer valuations are set, using Fernandez and Manchester City midfielder Rodri as examples. Sky Sports asked whether Fernandez could be considered "worth two Rodris," a framing that drew attention to the gap in market value between the two players as both were linked with potential moves.
ESPN reported that Manchester City was unlikely to meet Chelsea's deadline for a decision on Fernandez. That deadline has now passed without action from City, clearing the way for Fernandez to remain at Stamford Bridge for the foreseeable future.
The reports do not indicate whether Chelsea had set a specific asking price or whether City made any informal contact before the deadline. No further details on the valuation discussion were provided in the available reporting.
What to watch next: Whether Chelsea will now look to extend Fernandez's contract or if City will revisit a move in a future transfer window.
