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Monday, 31 August 2026dailybeirut.com
Football
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto could both depart before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, with Manchester City reportedly preparing a record £130 million bid for the Argentine midfielder.
Chelsea are poised to accept a British-record £130 million package for Enzo Fernandez as Manchester City prepare a formal offer ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline. Manager Xabi Alonso has acknowledged that both Fernandez and Pedro Neto may leave Stamford Bridge before the window closes.
Fernandez missed Chelsea’s 4-3 Premier League win over Brighton — his second consecutive omission from the matchday squad after also sitting out the Carabao Cup fixture against Luton. Alonso confirmed the exclusions were deliberate, citing team-first considerations amid ongoing transfer uncertainty.
“We’ll see. We want the best for the team and that’s why we made the decision [to leave Fernandez out] against Luton and today,” Alonso told reporters. “Anything that happens before Tuesday evening, we need to be aware of what is going to develop. We are not sure, we are preparing for all the scenarios.”
A Fernandez departure remains conditional on Chelsea securing an adequate replacement. The club has reportedly agreed terms with Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara. Finalising that signing is expected to accelerate the proposed move to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
Alonso expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness regardless of outcome: “I am sure that whatever happens from Wednesday we will have a good enough squad to compete in all the Premier League games.”
Pedro Neto featured in an unfamiliar wing-back position against Brighton and scored during the 4-3 victory. Despite strong performance and visible energy, his long-term status remains unresolved.
When asked whether Neto would stay, Alonso declined to guarantee anything: “No, in football I don’t guarantee anything, not anyone. 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.”
Alonso highlighted Neto’s one-on-one threat, spatial awareness in attack, physical strength, and competitiveness. “He is a threat in one-v-one, he attacks very well in the space, he is strong, he is competitive. I am happy that he scored, he was really close to scoring another one. I am very happy with Pedro.”
With just hours remaining before the transfer window shuts, Chelsea face intense operational pressure. The club must resolve Fernandez’s exit, confirm Camara’s arrival, and assess Neto’s next steps — all while maintaining their 100 per cent winning start to the Premier League campaign.
