Alonso signals Enzo Fernandez exit as Man City's £130m bid edges closer

Xabi Alonso has effectively opened the door for Enzo Fernandez to leave Chelsea before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, confirming the Argentina midfielder was omitted from the squad for the Premier League win over Brighton because it was “best for the team” — with Manchester City preparing a British-record £130m bid.

Fernandez, who is desperate to complete the move to City, has now been left out of consecutive matchday squads. Alonso acknowledged Chelsea are preparing for all scenarios before the window closes, including the possibility of further arrivals — the club have been linked with Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara as a potential replacement.

“We are not sure, we are preparing for all the scenarios,” Alonso said. “But I am sure that whatever happens from Wednesday we will have a good enough squad to compete in all the Premier League games.”

Portugal winger Pedro Neto is also the subject of transfer interest, with Liverpool among the clubs linked, and Alonso declined to guarantee the 25-year-old would remain at Stamford Bridge. However, the Chelsea head coach was effusive in his praise of Neto’s performance against Brighton, where the winger scored and operated effectively as a wing-back.

“No, in football I don’t guarantee anything, not anyone,” Alonso said when asked whether Neto would stay. “But I was very happy with Pedro. He did really well, he played with a lot of energy. He is going to be very important for the team for the whole season because he has different special qualities.”

Chelsea’s win over Brighton maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season, though the squad’s composition could look significantly different by Wednesday morning. The club’s willingness to sanction Fernandez’s departure hinges on securing an adequate replacement before the deadline, with the £130m fee needing to satisfy their valuation of a player signed for a then-British record fee in January 2023.