Manchester City have completed the dramatic late signing of Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, with the two clubs agreeing a deal worth £125 million in the closing hours of the summer transfer window. The Premier League champions announced the move in an official statement in the early hours of Wednesday morning, confirming that Fernandez has committed to a five-year contract.
Record-Equaling Transfer
The deal matches the record for the most expensive transfer in Premier League history, a benchmark previously set by Liverpool when they signed Alexander Isak, according to The Sun. Fernandez, 25, underwent medical examinations before putting pen to paper on a long-term deal at the Etihad, reuniting him with his former Chelsea boss, Italian coach Enzo Maresca, who took over the reins from Pep Guardiola during the summer.
Late Negotiations and Swift Progress
Manchester City initiated direct talks with Chelsea regarding Fernandez on Monday, with negotiations accelerating rapidly in the final hours of the transfer window to secure the deal before the deadline. The move comes less than two hours after City announced the signing of winger Eliman Ndiaye from Everton in a deal worth £65 million in total.
Fernandez had been pushing for a departure from Chelsea since March, with Maresca viewing him as a key addition to the midfield, particularly following the departure of several players from that position during the summer. Chelsea had earlier expected to keep their player, having set a deadline of August 14 for offers of at least £120 million, but no bid from Manchester City materialized during that period, before the situation changed as the transfer window approached its close.
First Words as a City Player
Speaking to his new club’s official website after signing, Fernandez said: “Manchester City is the most successful club in England in recent years. Every player wants to be part of a club like this, because everyone knows how well run Manchester City is.”
He added: “I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping the team continue to win trophies. It is a club built for success. If you look at the squad, you see quality in every position. I want to learn from my new teammates and become a better player.”
Fernandez continued: “I always strive to improve my level constantly. Everyone who has worked with me knows how hard I work in training every day, and what I give during matches. I give everything, and I can promise Manchester City that I will continue to do so now that I have joined the club.”
The Argentine added: “I would like to thank Hugo, Enzo, Khaldoun, and everyone at Manchester City who made this deal possible. I want to repay the trust they have placed in me, and prove it as soon as possible.”
Emotional Farewell to Chelsea
Fernandez also bid an emotional farewell to Chelsea fans in a heartfelt message on his social media accounts, revealing the difficulty of the days leading up to his departure from Stamford Bridge.
He wrote: “I want you to know that these days have not been easy for me, and writing these words is not easy either. The truth is that I have not been in a good place.”
He added: “Three years ago, Cobham and Stamford Bridge became home for me and my family. I became attached to the people, the shirt, and the badge of this wonderful club.”
He continued: “Thank you for all the love and support you have given me and my family over these years. I will never forget it. This group will give you many more reasons to be happy, and I will be happy for you too, never doubt that.”
He concluded: “You will always be in my heart, Blues fans. I will always wish you all the best. Always blue. Thank you, Chelsea.”
Manager's Silence and Context
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso remained largely tight-lipped about Fernandez’s future when asked about the possibility of the player’s departure after he was left out of the squad for a match. The Spanish coach said: “We will see. We want what is best for the team, and that is why we made our decisions, and anything that might happen before Tuesday evening we need to be aware of.”
He added: “We are not sure, and we are preparing for all scenarios, but I am confident that, whatever happens, we will have a good enough team to compete in all Premier League matches from Wednesday.”
Fernandez had previously criticized Chelsea’s management following Maresca’s dismissal in January, expressing his displeasure at the coach’s departure mid-season. He said at the time: “I don’t understand it. Sometimes there are things we players don’t understand, and how and in what way they try to manage things.”
He added: “It is clear that his departure hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season, because it cuts everything. We had an identity, and he gave us a clear system, even though football has its good times and bad times.”
Fernandez joined Chelsea in January 2023 from Benfica for £106 million, a deal that was then a British record, before winning the UEFA Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup with the club. The player and his agent, former Argentine international Javier Pastore, made his desire to leave public during the summer, with his name also linked to Real Madrid, before the Spanish club issued a statement confirming they were not pursuing the deal.
