Manchester City have completed the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a joint-British record £125 million fee, adding another marquee name to a summer of unprecedented spending at the Etihad.
The Argentina midfielder’s transfer matches the British record set when Liverpool signed Alexander Isak for the same amount last summer. Fernandez’s arrival also takes City’s spending during the current window to a Premier League-record £458 million, although the club have recouped around £300 million through player sales.
Fernandez, 25, joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for £107 million, then the British transfer record. His two-and-a-half-year spell at Stamford Bridge has now ended after he pushed for a departure.
The midfielder had hoped to join Real Madrid earlier in the summer, but the Spanish giants ultimately decided against making a move. Fernandez’s relationship with Chelsea supporters had also deteriorated, with the player booed during a pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad and again during the Premier League opener at Fulham.
He was subsequently left out of Chelsea’s victories over Luton and Brighton before acknowledging that his final days at the club had been difficult.
“I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me,” Fernandez wrote on Instagram. “The truth is, I haven’t been in a good place.”
Fernandez thanked Chelsea for his time at the club and said leaving had been a difficult decision, adding that the club would “always be in my heart”.
His move to City also reunites him with Enzo Maresca, who coached him during his time at Chelsea.
City Continue Record-Breaking Spending
Fernandez becomes the second player City have signed for more than £100 million this summer, following Elliot Anderson’s £116 million move from Nottingham Forest in July.
Maresca was keen to bring Fernandez to Manchester after City lost several midfield options during the summer, including Tijjani Reijnders, Rodri and Nico Gonzalez.
The Argentina international now gives City another elite option in midfield as Pep Guardiola’s side target trophies across multiple competitions.
“I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies,” Fernandez said on the club’s website. “This is a club built for success.”
City have also brought in 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi for £86 million and Brazilian winger Allan Elias for £34 million, in addition to Jeremy Monga and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Their spending could increase further, with Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye reportedly set to join in a deal that could reach £65 million.
Chelsea Cash In On Fernandez
Fernandez’s departure is another major boost to Chelsea’s record-breaking player-sales campaign.
Nicolas Jackson has moved to Aston Villa for £65 million, while Liam Delap joined Nottingham Forest for £50 million. Chelsea’s total transfer income is expected to exceed £400 million, comfortably eclipsing the previous Premier League record of around £300 million, also set by the London club last season.
Fernandez’s £125 million sale ranks as Chelsea’s second-biggest transfer departure, behind Eden Hazard’s 2019 move to Real Madrid.
For City, the record-equalling deal further demonstrates their determination to overhaul the squad and maintain their challenge for major honours on multiple fronts.
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