Alonso expects Fernandez to feature for Chelsea as Man City prepare £120m deadline bid

Xabi Alonso has confirmed Enzo Fernandez is in line to feature for Chelsea against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, despite Manchester City preparing to make a late bid for the £120m-rated Argentine midfielder before the transfer window closes on 1 September.

Fernandez came off the bench in Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Fulham on Monday, and Alonso made clear the 25-year-old remains part of his plans for now. “Yes, so we expect that he’s involved,” the Chelsea head coach said. “He has trained, he’s training really well, he’s a good professional and he will be involved.”

City’s interest in Fernandez has persisted throughout the summer, but Enzo Maresca’s side missed an informal deadline Chelsea had set earlier in the window. They are nonetheless expected to return with a formal offer before the deadline, putting the club in a delicate position heading into the final days of the market.

Fernandez received a notably warmer reception from Chelsea supporters at Craven Cottage than he had during a pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge, where he was booed. He was also targeted by Fulham fans over his involvement in Argentina’s World Cup semi-final victory over England.

Asked directly whether he wants to keep Fernandez, Alonso was measured. “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.”

Chelsea are also understood to be pursuing Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott as a potential addition to their engine room. The Cherries have rebuffed initial interest, but there is a belief that a bid in excess of £80m — and potentially closer to £90m — could prompt a change of stance.

Alonso declined to confirm whether any departure for Fernandez would be contingent on securing a replacement. “It is always about understanding the context, the situation, timings, circumstances, so there is not a defined rule for everything,” he said. “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.”