Midfield target poised to sit out again
Enzo Fernandez is reportedly set to miss Chelsea's Premier League meeting with Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, a second successive omission that will only intensify talk of a late move to Manchester City.
RMC Sport understands the Argentina international will be absent for the visit of the Seagulls, with his future still unresolved ahead of Tuesday's transfer deadline. If that proves accurate, it is a meaningful development rather than a minor team-sheet quirk.
Fernandez was already left out of the squad for Thursday's 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Luton. Xabi Alonso, the Chelsea manager, had previously indicated he expected the midfielder to be involved, only for the decision to be taken by himself and the club. Alonso was quick to stress that Fernandez had not asked to be left out.
Asked about the midfielder's future before the Brighton game, Alonso was typically non-committal, suggesting Chelsea would have to see what happened in the remaining days of the window. The window, of course, closes on Tuesday, and the clock is ticking.
Sky Sports reported on Friday that Chelsea are prepared to sell Fernandez to City for the right price, provided they are also given the chance to strengthen their own squad. That is a notable softening of position from a club that previously valued the midfielder at around £120m.
City, for their part, failed to make an offer before an earlier deadline set by the London club. That deadline has passed, but the possibility of a deal has not disappeared entirely. There is still no agreement between the two clubs, and no reliable indication yet that City's interest has developed into an accepted offer.
So where does that leave things? A second successive omission would be significant, and if Fernandez is absent against Brighton as RMC Sport expects, the focus will inevitably shift towards whether City are prepared to meet Chelsea's demands before the window slams shut.