A deadline shifts leverage. If Chelsea have set one, the message is simple:
For the selling club, timing is part of the price. If a key midfielder leaves late, replacing him becomes harder. That is why strong clubs often push for early clarity, especially when the player in question is central to the balance of the side.
Even without a deal in place, the link is easy to understand. Fernández is widely seen as a midfielder who can control tempo, receive under pressure and progress play through the middle. Those are traits Manchester City typically prize, particularly when reshaping a midfield or planning for a long season across multiple fronts.
From City’s side, though, admiration does not always lead to action at any price. Their transfer approach has often looked disciplined: if terms do not line up, they can pivot, wait, or trust internal solutions.
This feels less like a final yes-or-no and more like a negotiation test. A deadline can accelerate talks, but it can also expose distance between two clubs. If that distance remains, the story may become one of patience rather than breakthrough.
The next thing to watch is whether Manchester City respond before Friday, soften their stance later in the window, or move to alternative midfield targets while Chelsea hold firm.