Fernández Completes Record-Equalling £125m Move to Manchester City

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

Manchester City have signed Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández from Chelsea for £125 million, matching the British record transfer fee and securing him on a five-year contract. The move bolsters City’s midfield amid key departures and follows a turbulent transfer period for Chelsea, who struggled to find replacements before the summer window closed.

Manchester City have completed a £125 million transfer to sign Enzo Fernández from Chelsea, matching the British record for a football transfer fee. The deal, which was finalised ahead of the close of the summer transfer window, marks a significant investment for City as they strengthen their midfield options.

Fernández, 25, joins Manchester City on a five-year contract. The Argentine midfielder had been seeking a move since March amid growing discontent at Chelsea following the departure of coach Enzo Maresca, who had a strong relationship with Fernández. Maresca, now at Manchester City, reunited with the player as City targeted reinforcements after selling key midfielders Rodri to Barcelona, Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid, and Nico González to Newcastle.

The transfer process was turbulent, with Chelsea left frustrated after a potential replacement signing collapsed shortly before the deadline. Chelsea had agreed a £47 million deal with Monaco for midfielder Lamine Camara, who was set to sign a six-year contract. However, Monaco unexpectedly withdrew from the agreement in the final hours, a move described by some sources as "deeply unprofessional." This fallout came amid a failed attempt by Everton to secure striker Folarin Balogun from Arsenal, leaving Chelsea’s plan to fill the midfield void in disarray. Everton, who loaned Jack Grealish from Manchester City, pushed for better terms for Balogun, but their efforts also collapsed just after midnight.

Despite the setback over Camara, Chelsea proceeded with the sale of Fernández to Manchester City. The club has generated approximately £500 million from player sales and loans this summer, including the departures of Marc Guiu to RB Leipzig for £16 million, and loans of Dário Essugo to Strasbourg, Robert Sánchez to Como, and Mykhailo Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo to Tottenham Hotspur, with the latter signing permanently.

Fernández’s time at Chelsea was marked by mixed fortunes. Arriving from Benfica in January 2023 for £106.7 million, he scored 31 goals but grew unsettled amid management changes and was sidelined after publicly expressing frustration following Chelsea’s Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain in March. Although he returned to training post-World Cup, he was booed by Chelsea fans during a pre-season friendly and was left out of subsequent matches.

At Manchester City, Fernández becomes one of the club’s highest-profile signings this summer, joining alongside fellow midfield recruits Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and Ayyoub Boudaoff from Lille, contributing to a total midfield expenditure of £327 million. Upon signing, Fernández expressed enthusiasm about joining a club "built for success" and pledged to give his all to help City secure trophies.

Manchester City’s recruitment drive also included a significant addition to their attacking options, signing Iliman Ndiaye from Everton for up to £65 million as they continue to rebuild their squad ahead of the upcoming season.

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