Manchester City lead record Premier League spending with £125m Enzo Fernandez deal

Manchester City completed the signing of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for £125m on transfer deadline day, helping Premier League clubs set a new record for spending in a single transfer window.

The total outlay by English top-flight clubs reached £3.46bn, surpassing the previous record of £3.1bn. City were at the centre of a dramatic final day, also bringing in Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye from Everton for £65m.

The arrivals are intended to strengthen a Manchester City squad capable of helping manager Enzo Maresca win the Premier League for the first time in three seasons.

Fernandez, 25, had been linked with a move to Etihad Stadium for several months after previously flourishing under Maresca at Chelsea. However, the clubs did not reach an agreement until the final hours before the transfer window closed at 22:00 BST on Tuesday.

The fee reportedly equals the British transfer record of £125m, paid by Liverpool for Alexander Isak a year ago.

Fernandez is expected to form part of a new-look Manchester City midfield alongside England international Elliot Anderson and Morocco Under-? midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The trio will represent an investment of more than £325m.

“He is a complete midfielder: technically gifted, hardworking, tenacious and a goalscorer,” said Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana.

Ndiaye’s arrival took Manchester City’s spending during the summer beyond £450m. The 26-year-old former Everton forward said he had been waiting for an opportunity of this scale.

“I’ve worked my whole life for an opportunity like this,” said Ndiaye.

“To be able to write my own chapter in a story. Tha is a special chance of a lifetime and I’m determined to grab it with both hands.”

Chelsea were unable to complete a replacement signing for Fernandez after their attempt to bring in Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara collapsed. Everton also saw a late £40m move for Monaco and United States striker Folarin Balogun fall through.

Everton did, however, agree a loan deal for Jack Grealish, who spent time with David Moyes’s side last season.

Chelsea also agreed a £40m deal to sign 18-year-old Italy defender Honest Ahanor from Atalanta from 2027. Ahanor will remain on loan at Crystal Palace for this season.

Champions Arsenal had a relatively quiet deadline day after their pursuit of Atletico de Madrid forward Julian Alvarez failed to progress. The Gunners had been competing with Barcelona for the Argentina international, but the Spanish champions instead signed Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus to address their need for another attacker.

“I had a chance 10 years ago and life took me in another direction, but now I can be here and it’s a dream for me,” said Jesus.

Liverpool had already spent £123m on France forward Bradley Barcola on Monday, signing him from Paris Saint-Germain. Their attempts to strengthen further were unsuccessful, with Crystal Palace rejecting bids for Ismaila Sarr and Brighton refusing offers for Yankuba Minteh.

Cody Gakpo will therefore remain at Anfield despite interest from Manchester City and Tottenham. Liverpool did complete the signing of Belgian goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, although the 18-year-old will return to Genk on loan for the rest of the season.

Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye had also been linked with Liverpool, but instead moved to Aston Villa in a reported £47m deal. Mbaye made 31 appearances in all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain last season as the French club won both the Champions League and Ligue 1.

Aston Villa further strengthened their defence by signing Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis for £29m.

Tottenham agreed a loan deal for Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk after missing out on Ndiaye and Gakpo. The London club also signed Mudryk’s Chelsea team-mate Tosin Adarabioyo for £10m.

Newcastle United completed a £51m deal for Belgium forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille. The Magpies are rebuilding after the close-season departures of Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.

Newcastle have also sent Germany striker Nicolas Woltemade to Juventus on loan.