Man City Sign Enzo Fernandez From Chelsea in Record £125m Deal
- Manchester City have signed Argentine World Cup winner Enzo Fernández from Chelsea for a Premier League record-equaling £125 million fee.
- Fernández was given permission to speak with Manchester City after telling Chelsea he wanted to leave three months prior.
- Alongside the acquisition of Fernández, Manchester City completed the signing of Iliman Ndiaye from Everton for £65 million.
Manchester City have signed Argentine World Cup winner Enzo Fernández from Chelsea for a Premier League record-equaling £125 million fee. The 25-year-old midfielder finalized his move to the Etihad Stadium following a deadline-day agreement between the two clubs. The transfer matches the British record fee previously paid by Liverpool to Newcastle for Alexander Isak a year ago. Fernández spent three-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge after joining Chelsea from Benfica for a then-British-record £107 million.
Transfer Context and Managerial Reunion
Fernández was given permission to speak with Manchester City after telling Chelsea he wanted to leave three months prior. The player’s departure follows an expiration of a club-imposed deadline for bids, though Chelsea remained open to a sale provided the offer reflected rising summer market valuations above £100 million.
The transfer reunites Fernández with Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with the midfielder during his tenure at Stamford Bridge. The pair maintained a close relationship, and Fernández was eager to work under the Italian coach again. Formal contact regarding the deal was established on a Monday evening, with negotiations moving rapidly ahead of the deadline. Prior to his departure, Fernández was omitted from the final two matchday squads by Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, who stated he only wanted players with a desire to play for the club.
Following the transfer, Fernández posted a farewell message on Instagram on Tuesday night. I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me,
Fernández wrote. Writing this is not easy either. The truth is, I haven’t been in a good place.
Simultaneous Squad Additions at the Etihad Stadium
Alongside the acquisition of Fernández, Manchester City completed the signing of Iliman Ndiaye from Everton for £65 million. Ndiaye signed a contract running until 2031 after City pursued him following unsuccessful attempts to secure Cody Gakpo from Liverpool. Tottenham also pursued Ndiaye, but City secured the Senegal international with a bid consisting of £60 million upfront and £5 million in potential add-ons.
I’ve worked my whole life for an opportunity like this,
Ndiaye said. City are one of the best clubs in the world and I’ve seen them win everything as I’ve grown up.
Manchester City’s summer transfer activity also includes the additions of Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi, and Allan Elias. Meanwhile, as part of separate business dealings with Everton, City loaned Jack Grealish to the Toffees for a second successive season.
