Manchester City have completed the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a joint-British record £125m, taking their spending in a single transfer window to a Premier League-high £458m.
City agreed the deal with Chelsea on Tuesday after negotiations accelerated over the previous 24 hours. The fee matches the £125m Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak on transfer deadline day last summer.
Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for a then-British record £107m. His latest move now puts him level with Isak at the top of the British transfer market.
City have spent heavily as manager Enzo Maresca rebuilds his midfield. Four midfielders have left the club this summer, with Tijjani Reijnders, Rodri, Nico Gonzalez and Bernardo Silva all moving on.
Fernandez worked with Maresca during the Italian’s time at Chelsea, and the City manager pushed to reunite with the Argentina international.
“I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies,” Fernandez said.
“This is a club built for success. If you look across the squad, City have quality in every area. I want to learn from my new teammates and become a better player.”
City had already broken their own transfer record in July when they paid £116m for Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. Fernandez’s arrival marks the second time in two months that they have raised that mark.
City’s recruitment has also included 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi for £86m and Brazilian winger Allan Elias for £34m. Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye could push the spending even higher, with City agreeing a deal worth up to £65m.
However, City have also generated around £300m from player sales.
Chelsea will record a major windfall from Fernandez’s departure. The deal represents the second-biggest sale in the club’s history, behind Eden Hazard’s move to Real Madrid in 2019.
Chelsea’s summer sales could exceed £400m after Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson’s £65m move to Aston Villa and Liam Delap’s £50m switch to Nottingham Forest.
Fernandez had wanted to leave Chelsea since March and initially targeted Real Madrid. The Spanish club eventually ruled out a move, leaving City to secure the midfielder.
Chelsea fans had booed Fernandez during pre-season and again when he came off the bench against Fulham on the opening weekend. He missed the club’s last two matches before completing his move.
In an open letter to Chelsea supporters, Fernandez admitted the decision had been difficult but said the club would “always be in my heart”.
