Enzo Fernández agreed to a £125 million transfer from Chelsea to Manchester City on deadline day, making it a joint British record fee. The deal was finalized after two days of negotiations between the clubs. Fernández addressed Chelsea supporters, stating he was not “in a good place” and described the move as a difficult personal decision.
Chelsea sought a replacement in Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, reportedly agreeing to a £47 million fee moments before the deadline. However, Monaco reversed their decision to sell Camara, which reportedly caused frustration within Chelsea’s camp. It was suggested that Monaco’s withdrawal was influenced by Everton’s ongoing efforts to finalize a deal for American striker Folarin Balogun, also from Monaco. Everton had requested additional time from the Premier League after Balogun’s medical raised concerns.
The £125 million paid for Fernández matched the transfer record previously set by Liverpool for Alexander Isak’s signing from Newcastle United last year. Chelsea’s sales this summer surpassed £400 million, setting a Premier League and European record for a single transfer window. Despite overall spending in the Premier League exceeding £3.1 billion by the 11pm deadline—another record—the net spending was reportedly lower than last summer due to a higher proportion of transactions occurring between Premier League clubs.
Manchester City further strengthened their squad by signing Iliman Ndiaye from Everton for £65 million on a five-year contract, signaling continued investment under their new head coach Enzo Maresca. Everton also secured the loan re-signing of Jack Grealish during the closing hours of the window.
Newcastle United were active in the market, confirming a £51.4 million move for forward Matias Fernández-Pardo from Lille, with an additional £4.2 million in potential add-ons. Meanwhile, Newcastle’s record-signing Nick Woltemade was loaned to Juventus.
A late tug-of-war over Lyon winger Malick Fofana unfolded between Crystal Palace and Sunderland. Fofana, 21, had previously been linked with Arsenal. Initially, Palace appeared to hijack Sunderland’s agreed deal, but Sunderland reportedly prevailed as the deadline approached.
Liverpool bolstered their squad by signing 18-year-old goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans from Genk for £30 million. Leeds United also reached an agreement to bring in midfielder Jean-Matteo Bahoya from Eintracht Frankfurt.
The deadline day moves reflected a highly dynamic and record-setting summer transfer window across the Premier League, marked by intense negotiations and strategic maneuvers in the final hours.