Manchester City would need to offer Chelsea more than £120m to sign Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández if they revive their interest before the transfer window shuts, according to Tuesday's round-up of football transfer gossip. The same reports suggest Chelsea are also demanding close to £100m for winger Pedro Neto, while Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes has reportedly been offered a huge pay rise to leave Old Trafford for Galatasaray.
Why has Enzo Fernández's price risen so sharply?
Chelsea's valuation has hardened because City missed a self-imposed deadline to submit a bid, and the club's stance appears to have stiffened as a result. Chelsea had set a Friday cut-off for City to table an offer for Fernández, and when no bid arrived the west London club indicated any previously discussed terms no longer applied, as our earlier coverage of that missed deadline detailed. According to a broadcaster's transfer desk, Chelsea now expect Fernández to stay for the entire 2026/27 season unless an exceptional late offer materialises. A separate report from a national American outlet added that the verbal terms once discussed between the clubs are now considered void, while another source put Chelsea's asking price at £120m and stressed the club would not entertain offers that missed the original deadline, according to ESPN's report on the standoff. Fernández is understood to be tied to a contract running until 2032, which reduces any pressure on Chelsea to sell at a discount, per a detailed athletic-focused report.
City's pursuit of Fernández has been framed as part of a wider search for a long-term replacement in midfield following the club's handling of interest from Barcelona in Rodri, as outlined in our report on City rejecting Barcelona's approach for Rodri. Any fresh move for Fernández had been reported to depend on City first completing a sale involving Rodri, though the numbers being discussed for that transfer have varied between reports.
What is happening with Pedro Neto's future at Chelsea?
Chelsea are seeking close to £100m for the Portugal winger this summer, with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal among the clubs linked with a move. Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be monitoring the 26-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Wolves for £54m in 2024. A specialist transfer-analysis site reported that Chelsea have now set a near-£100m valuation on Neto amid the continued Al-Hilal and City interest, according to Football Transfers' report on Neto's asking price. That figure sits in contrast to a separate estimate from the same outlet, which placed Neto's calculated transfer value at roughly €51.7m in an analysis of Chelsea's summer business, according to a follow-up valuation report. Any completed deal before the deadline would depend on a buying club matching Chelsea's stated £100m demand, per the same transfer-analysis site.
Which other Premier League clubs are active in the market?
Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, 22, who the Spanish club have put up for sale, though United's willingness to sell Bruno Fernandes remains in doubt. Galatasaray have reportedly offered Fernandes £18.3m per season, double his current wages, in an attempt to lure the Portugal international away from Old Trafford despite United's reluctance to part with him.
Liverpool remain interested in signing Paris St-Germain pair Bradley Barcola, 23, and Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, with a combined fee of around £155m being discussed for the France winger and Senegal forward. Bayern Munich are said to be confident of agreeing fresh terms with England forward Harry Kane, 33, who enters the final year of his current contract. Como have made an offer to sign Fiorentina and Italy forward Moise Kean, 26, on loan with an obligation to buy in a package worth £25m. Leeds United have granted Suriname striker Joel Piroe, 27, permission to undergo a medical at West Ham United. AC Milan have agreed a £34m deal to sign Belgium winger Diego Moreira, 22, from Strasbourg. Meanwhile, Sao Paulo and West Ham are among the clubs showing interest in 39-year-old former England forward Jamie Vardy, who is currently a free agent.
What is the latest from the English Football League?
Norwich City could face a fight to retain forward Mo Toure, with the Australian international drawing interest from Hull City and Porto. Stoke City are keen on taking Aston Villa full-back Triston Rowe, 19, either on loan or permanently, while Stoke and Preston North End look set to be frustrated in their pursuit of Hull City defender Cody Drameh, who is reported to want to stay at the Premier League club despite the Championship pair offering £1m for the right-back.
Portsmouth are prepared to move on goalkeeper Josef Bursik as he returns to fitness; the 26-year-old made 11 appearances for the club last season but has not featured since being injured against Stoke City in April. Portsmouth have also been linked with a move for Liverpool defender Luke Chambers, 22, with Queens Park Rangers and Blackburn Rovers also said to be interested in taking him on loan.
What happens next?
The summer transfer window is scheduled to close on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, leaving clubs a limited number of days to complete any late deals, according to a broadcaster's transfer coverage. Unless an unexpectedly large offer arrives before then, Chelsea expect Fernández to remain at Stamford Bridge for the whole of the 2026/27 campaign. Any move for Neto would likewise hinge on a club agreeing to meet Chelsea's near-£100m valuation before the deadline passes.
Key Facts
- Chelsea want more than £120m for Enzo Fernández after Manchester City missed a bidding deadline.
- Chelsea are asking close to £100m for Pedro Neto, who cost £54m from Wolves in 2024.
- Galatasaray have offered Bruno Fernandes £18.3m a year, double his current Manchester United salary.
- The transfer window closes on Tuesday, 1 September 2026.
- Portsmouth, Stoke City and Preston North End are among several Championship clubs active in the EFL market.
