Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Manchester City Sign Enzo Fernandez for British Record £125m
Manchester City are signing Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for £125 million.
That is as much as the biggest transfer fee previously reported in Britain.
Fernandez is a 25-year-old midfielder from Argentina.
He will work again with Enzo Maresca, his former coach at Chelsea.
City wanted him to strengthen a midfield that has recently changed.
Fernandez had a difficult relationship with Chelsea after showing interest in leaving.
Chelsea supporters booed him, and he was left out of recent matches.
Reports differ on whether the transfer was already completed or still needed a medical, but the deal was agreed.
Manchester City agreed to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez for £125 million on transfer deadline day.
The fee matches the reported British transfer record set when Liverpool signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
One report said Fernandez completed the move on Tuesday, while another said it remained subject to a medical before the window closed.
Fernandez reunites with Enzo Maresca, who previously coached him at Chelsea and now manages Manchester City.
Fernandez leaves Chelsea after 170 appearances, 31 goals and 30 assists amid strained relations with the club and its supporters.
- Who
- Manchester City, Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez and Enzo Maresca are the main parties.
- What
- Manchester City agreed to sign Fernandez for a reported £125 million, matching the British transfer record; one report said the signing was completed, while another said it awaited a medical.
- When
- The agreement was reached on transfer deadline day; a separate report described the completed signing as occurring on Tuesday.
- Where
- Fernandez is moving from Chelsea in London to Manchester City.
- Why
- City wanted to rebuild and strengthen its midfield, while Fernandez pushed for the move and Chelsea accepted a fee above its earlier £120 million valuation.
Manchester City’s case
Chelsea’s case
Reason for the transfer
Manchester City’s case
City viewed Fernandez as a trusted, technically gifted box-to-box midfielder who could strengthen a revamped midfield under Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea’s case
Chelsea accepted a record-level fee while moving on from a player whose relationship with the club and supporters had deteriorated.
Negotiating the fee
Manchester City’s case
City accelerated talks on deadline day after Liverpool rejected a bid of up to £80 million for Cody Gakpo, eventually agreeing to pay £5 million above Chelsea’s stated valuation.
Chelsea’s case
Chelsea had valued Fernandez at £120 million and said he would remain if that figure was not received within its self-imposed deadline.
Fernandez’s departure
Manchester City’s case
Fernandez reportedly wanted to join City, and the move offered him a fresh start after he was left out of Chelsea’s recent squads.
Chelsea’s case
Chelsea had expected him to stay earlier in the window, while supporters booed him during pre-season and the opening league match after he expressed interest in leaving.
- Transfer fee
- Reported at £125 million ($167 million or $169 million), equalling the British transfer record.
- Player
- Enzo Fernandez, a 25-year-old Argentina midfielder.
- Former club
- Chelsea signed Fernandez from Benfica for £106.8 million in January 2023, according to one report.
- Chelsea record
- Fernandez made 170 appearances, scoring 31 goals and providing 30 assists.
- Contract
- He was under contract with Chelsea until 2032.
- Previous British record
- Liverpool reportedly paid Newcastle United £125 million for Alexander Isak.
- Transfer status
- Reports differed on whether Fernandez had completed his medical and finalized the move.
