Manchester City sign Enzo Fernandez in record-equalling £125m deal

Manchester City have completed the signing of Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez for £125m, with the 25-year-old agreeing a contract that runs until 2031.

The fee matches the British transfer record set by Liverpool when they signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle United last summer. That deal was also completed in the closing days of the transfer window.

Fernandez said: “Manchester City is the most successful club in England in recent years.

“Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well Manchester City is run.

“I could not be happier to be here and I am ready for this challenge to help Manchester City continue winning trophies. This is a club built for success.

“If you look at the squad list, you will find quality in every position. I want to learn from my new team-mates and become a better player.

“I have always taken pride in trying to improve my level. Everyone who has worked with me knows how hard I train every day and how much I give in matches. I give absolutely everything, and I can promise Manchester City that will continue now that I have joined the team.

“I would like to thank Hugo, Enzo, Khaldoon and everyone at Manchester City who made this deal possible. I want to repay the faith they have shown in me as quickly as possible.”

The move brings to an end a lengthy dispute over Fernandez’s future at Chelsea.

The London club said on 14 August that it expected the midfielder to remain at Stamford Bridge for the 2026-27 season after a deadline it had set for his departure passed without Manchester City submitting an offer.

Chelsea had valued Fernandez at £120m and insisted that he would not leave during the current summer window unless a bid at that level was received. The club said those conditions had been communicated to Manchester City and the player’s representatives, who had known Chelsea’s valuation since May.

However, The Athletic reported on Monday that City turned their attention to Fernandez after their attempt to sign Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo ended when the Reds rejected an offer worth up to £80m. City and Chelsea have now reached an agreement for the Argentina international.

Fernandez was booed by Chelsea supporters during their final pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad. The reaction was repeated in the opening Premier League match against Fulham.

At the end of the Fulham match, Fernandez went down the tunnel to the dressing rooms rather than joining his team-mates in front of the travelling Chelsea fans. He then missed the next two games, against Luton Town in the EFL Cup and Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.

Chelsea signed Fernandez from Benfica in January 2023 for £106.8m, a fee that was then a British transfer record. His contract with the club was due to run until 2032.

The midfielder had raised doubts about his future on several occasions towards the end of the 2025-26 season. Former Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior subsequently left him out of the squad for two matches in April.

Fernandez’s agent, former Argentina international Javier Pastore, told The Athletic at the time that the punishment was “completely unfair”. Fernandez later apologised and returned to the squad.

The Athletic had reported in April that Manchester City were considering a move for Fernandez as part of their plans to strengthen midfield during the summer.

City had already signed English midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m, as well as Ayoub Bouaddi from Lille for an initial fee of €95m.

Those moves followed Rodri’s transfer to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders’ move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah. Tottenham Hotspur also signed Savinho and Omar Marmoush.

Fernandez has previously worked with Manchester City’s new manager Enzo Maresca, spending 18 months under the Italian during Maresca’s time at Chelsea.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, publicly denied reports earlier in the summer linking them with a move for the Argentina midfielder, who helped his country win the 2022 World Cup.

Fernandez made 170 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 31 goals and providing 30 assists.