Enzo Fernandez Seals Manchester City Transfer In Joint-British Record Deal

Manchester City have completed the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a joint-British record £125 million, adding another high-profile midfielder to their rapidly rebuilt squad.

The deal matches the British transfer record set by Liverpool’s signing of Alexander Isak for £125 million last summer. It also takes City’s spending in the current transfer window to a Premier League-record £458 million, although the champions have raised around £300 million from player sales.

Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica for £107 million in 2023, a British record at the time. His stay at Stamford Bridge has now ended after the Argentina international pushed for a move, having initially hoped to join Real Madrid.

That move never materialised, and Fernandez’s relationship with Chelsea fans deteriorated towards the end of his spell. He was booed during a pre-season match against Real Sociedad and again during the league opener against Fulham.

He was subsequently left out of Chelsea’s wins over Luton and Brighton. In an Instagram post, Fernandez acknowledged that his final days at the club had been difficult.

“I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me,” he wrote. “The truth is, I haven’t been in a good place.”

Fernandez thanked Chelsea for his time at the club and said the decision to leave had been difficult, adding that the club would “always be in my heart”.

City Continue Record Spending

Fernandez is the second player City have signed for more than £100 million this summer, following Elliot Anderson’s £116 million move from Nottingham Forest.

The midfielder also reunites with Enzo Maresca, who coached him at Chelsea. His arrival comes after City lost several midfielders, including Tijjani Reijnders, Rodri and Nico Gonzalez.

“I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies,” Fernandez said. “This is a club built for success.”

City have also signed Lille teenager Ayoub Bouaddi for £86 million and Brazilian winger Allan Elias for £34 million, while Jeremy Monga and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli have also arrived.

Their spending could rise further, with Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye reportedly set to join in a deal worth up to £65 million.

Chelsea’s Record Sales Continue

Fernandez’s departure adds to Chelsea’s extraordinary transfer income this summer.

Nicolas Jackson has joined Aston Villa for £65 million, while Liam Delap moved to Nottingham Forest for £50 million. Chelsea’s total sales are expected to exceed £400 million, comfortably surpassing the previous Premier League record of around £300 million, which the club set last season.

Fernandez’s £125 million transfer is Chelsea’s second-biggest sale, behind Eden Hazard’s move to Real Madrid in 2019.

For City, the record-equalling deal underlines their determination to reshape the squad and compete for major honours across multiple fronts.