Enzo Fernandez says he will return to River Plate despite Manchester City move

Enzo Fernandez has said he intends to return to River Plate in the future, only weeks after completing his £125m transfer from Chelsea to Manchester City.

The Argentina international, who was part of the 2022 World Cup-winning team, has raised questions over his long-term plans at Manchester City after declaring his desire to go back to the club where he began his career.

Fernandez, 25, has made 10 appearances for Manchester City and scored his first goal for the club in their thrilling 5-3 Premier League victory over Sunderland.

But, despite making a positive start in England, he says his emotional connection with River Plate remains strong.

“I want to return to River. I have said it time and time again, and whenever I have the chance, I will definitely go back,” Fernandez said in comments reported by talkSPORT, citing Los Idolos.

“I really hope so. I will return at some point. It is something I genuinely want.”

Fernandez then made clear that he stood by those comments, while also insisting that his return to Argentina was not imminent.

“That is fine. I will stand by what I said,” he added. “If I said it, it is because I truly feel it. I need to return to River to win trophies and enjoy the atmosphere at the club for more years than I spent here.”

However, Fernandez sought to reassure Manchester City supporters by stressing that he remains committed to his current club.

“I am here and I have a long-term contract with Manchester. There is still a long way to go before that,” he said.

Fernandez’s rise from River Plate

Fernandez is regarded as one of River Plate’s most prominent academy graduates. He scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in 53 appearances between 2020 and 2022, winning the Argentine league title and the cup.

During that period, he also enjoyed a successful loan spell at Defensa y Justicia, helping the club win the Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana.

Fernandez moved to Benfica in June 2022 and won the Portuguese league before attracting worldwide attention at the 2022 World Cup, where he was named the tournament’s best young player.

His performances led to a move to Chelsea in a record £106.8m deal. Fernandez made 170 appearances for the club, scoring 31 goals and supplying 30 assists, while winning the Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League.

Rumours of a move to Real Madrid emerged in early 2026, although the Spanish club denied them. Manchester City completed the signing on the final day of the summer transfer window, reuniting Fernandez with his former manager Enzo Maresca.

Manchester City are scheduled to face Brighton in the Premier League on 31 October 2026. River Plate are due to play Boca Juniors in the Argentine Primera Division on 1 November 2026.