Manchester City are assessing a potential summer move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to multiple verified reports. The Premier League champions have identified the Argentina international as a target amid ongoing contract discussions with Rodri and the impending departure of Bernardo Silva.
Fernández, who joined Chelsea in January 2023 for a British-record transfer fee of €121 million, remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2032. The 25-year-old central midfielder has made 114 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions, scoring 17 goals, and has earned 40 caps for the Argentina national team with six international goals.
The Athletic reported that City executives view Fernández as a potential alternative to Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson as they prepare for life beyond Bernardo Silva, who confirmed last week he will leave the Etihad Stadium as a free agent when his contract expires in June.
City are likewise negotiating a recent contract with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who is approaching the final 12 months of his current deal and has publicly opened the door to a potential move to Real Madrid. Executives at the Etihad Stadium are certain to sign at least one world-class midfielder in the upcoming transfer window.
Fernández’s future at Chelsea has been subject to scrutiny after the club parted ways with head coach Liam Rosenior this week. The Blues are facing a fight for European football qualification for the 2026-27 campaign, adding uncertainty to the midfielder’s long-term plans at Stamford Bridge.
The Argentina international recently drew attention for controversial transfer comments in an interview where he stated he’d love to live in Madrid, resulting in a two-game suspension. Despite this, Fernández remains Chelsea’s vice-captain and a key figure in their midfield setup.
Fernández began his senior career with River Plate, making 40 appearances and scoring 10 goals between 2019 and 2022, including loan spells at Defensa y Justicia where he won the Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana. He then spent six months at Benfica in 2022-23 before his club-record move to Chelsea.
On the international stage, Fernández played an important role in Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup victory in Qatar, earning the tournament’s Young Player Award. He was also part of the squad that won the 2024 Copa América in the United States, cementing his status as one of Argentina’s most important midfielders.
City’s interest in Fernández is said to be at a fairly early stage, with the player weighing up his future at Chelsea. The club will monitor his situation closely after the 2026 World Cup, which concludes in July, before making any formal approach for the Argentine international.
As of April 23, 2026, no official bid has been submitted for Fernández, and Chelsea have not indicated any willingness to sell the player, who remains under long-term contract. Any potential transfer would depend on the player’s personal ambitions, Chelsea’s sporting direction, and the financial terms offered by City.
The upcoming transfer window will see Manchester City prioritize midfield recruitment as they seek to maintain their competitive edge in both domestic and European competitions. Whether Fernández becomes part of that plans remains to be seen, but his World Cup pedigree and Premier League experience make him a notable candidate for the Etihad Stadium.
Stay tuned to Archysport for the latest verified updates on this developing story as the 2026 World Cup approaches and the summer transfer window opens.
