Chelsea have agreed to sell Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125m without making the deal conditional on signing a replacement, leaving Xabi Alonso with a potentially significant gap in midfield on transfer deadline day.
The fee is fixed and matches the British transfer record, according to The Guardian, which reported that the agreement contains no add-ons or performance-related clauses. Fernandez is expected to complete his move to the Etihad Stadium after undergoing a medical. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/sep/01/football-transfer-deadline-day-fernandez-alvarez-mudryk-ndiaye-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6a96f5cf8f08f08ddc7026e1))
Journalist Jacob Steinberg said Chelsea had explored possible deals for Manu Kone and Lamine Camara, but neither midfielder was close to joining the club.
“Enzo Fernandez to City agreed at £125m,” Steinberg posted. “Fee is fixed, bringing Chelsea up to close to £500m in sales, and deal is not contingent on club adding to their squad. Checks made on Camara and Kone but neither midfielder close as it stands.”
Chelsea have options but no direct Fernandez replacement
Chelsea are not short of midfielders, with Moises Caicedo expected to remain central to Alonso’s plans. Reece James and Valentin Barco are also capable of operating in the area, while Romeo Lavia has taken on greater importance as he attempts to move beyond a series of injury problems.
However, allowing Fernandez to leave without another established midfielder arriving would still represent a gamble, particularly with little time remaining before the transfer window closes.
Manchester City’s pursuit of Fernandez had been expected to run until the final stages of the window after Chelsea previously set a valuation of at least £120m. Sky Sports reported in August that City remained interested despite initially missing the club’s deadline for making an offer. ([skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13573958/enzo-fernandez-transfer-news-man-city-remain-interested-in-chelsea-midfielder-despite-missing-deadline-to-make-bid))
The sale takes Chelsea’s income from player departures to close to £500m this summer, with Marc Cucurella, Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap among the other notable exits. Alejandro Garnacho, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile have also left on loan, while Andrey Santos joined Manchester United earlier in the window.
Chelsea must now decide whether to proceed with their existing midfield group or make a late attempt to bring in reinforcements before the deadline.
