Manchester City have completed the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a joint-British record fee of 125 million pounds. The Argentina international becomes City’s latest major addition in a summer that has seen the club spend heavily to reshape their squad.
Fernandez’s transfer matches the British record set when Liverpool signed Alexander Isak for 125 million pounds last summer. It also takes City’s spending in the current window to a Premier League-record 458 million pounds, although they have generated around 300 million pounds through player sales.
The 25-year-old joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for 107 million pounds, then a British record, but his time at Stamford Bridge has now come to an end after he pushed for a move away. Fernandez had been keen on joining Real Madrid earlier this summer, although the Spanish giants eventually ruled out making an offer.
The midfielder had been booed by Chelsea supporters during a friendly against Real Sociedad and again during the Premier League opener at Fulham. He was subsequently left out of wins over Luton and Brighton, while Fernandez admitted in an open letter 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 the decision to leave had been difficult, adding that the club would “always be in my heart”. He now reunites with Enzo Maresca, who worked with him during his spell as Chelsea manager.
MANCHESTER CITY BREAK THE BANK
Fernandez becomes the second player City have signed for more than 100 million pounds this summer after Elliot Anderson joined from Nottingham Forest for 116 million pounds in July.
Maresca was keen to work with Fernandez again after City lost several midfielders this summer, including Tijjani Reijnders, Rodri and Nico Gonzalez. His arrival gives City another high-level option in the centre of the pitch as they look to challenge on multiple fronts.
“I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies,” Fernandez told the club’s website. “This is a club built for success.”
City have also signed 18-year-old midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi from Lille for 86 million pounds and Brazilian winger Allan Elias for 34 million pounds, alongside Jeremy Monga and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Their spending could rise again with Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye set to arrive in a deal worth up to 65 million pounds.
CHELSEA’S SALES SURGE
Fernandez’s departure adds to Chelsea’s extraordinary summer of player sales. Nicolas Jackson has joined Aston Villa for 65 million pounds, while Liam Delap moved to Nottingham Forest for 50 million pounds.
Chelsea’s total income from transfers is expected to pass 400 million pounds, comfortably surpassing the previous Premier League record of around 300 million pounds set by the club last season.
Fernandez’s move is Chelsea’s second-biggest sale, behind Eden Hazard’s 2019 transfer to Real Madrid. For City, meanwhile, the record-equalling deal underlines their ambition to rebuild quickly and remain competitive for major honours.
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