Manchester City have officially secured the signing of Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea. The transfer, completed on Tuesday, is valued at £125 million ($167 million), a figure that matches the British transfer record previously set when Liverpool acquired Alexander Isak from Newcastle.
The move represents a significant overhaul of City’s midfield under manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with Fernandez at Chelsea. The club has invested over £300 million to revamp the center of the pitch, with Fernandez set to partner England international Elliot Anderson and Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. This restructuring follows the high-profile exits of Rodri, who moved to Barcelona, alongside Bernardo Silva, Nico Gonzalez, and Tijjani Reijnders.
City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, lauded the acquisition, describing the 25-year-old as a complete midfielder who is technically gifted, tenacious, and a consistent goalscorer. Viana noted that Fernandez’s experience in two World Cup finals and his success in winning major trophies across multiple countries at such a young age demonstrate his elite mentality and professionalism.
In a statement released by Manchester City, Fernandez expressed his enthusiasm for the move, stating, “Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are. 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.”
The midfielder’s departure from Chelsea follows a turbulent period at Stamford Bridge. While he helped the club secure the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup, his relationship with supporters was strained by perceived intentions to leave. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso had excluded him from the squad for the final two matches amid the ongoing transfer speculation.
Reflecting on his exit, Fernandez shared a candid message on Instagram, admitting, “I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me. Writing this is not easy either. The truth is, I haven’t been in a good place. Life is about making decisions, and right now I find myself having to make one of those difficult decisions.”
Fernandez previously joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for £106 million. His tenure in London was marked by controversy last season when he expressed interest in joining Real Madrid, leading to a two-match suspension. Internationally, he was a key figure for Argentina, scoring twice during their World Cup campaign—including a goal against England in the semi-final—though his tournament concluded with a red card in the final, where Argentina fell 1-0. The report also notes that city boss Enzo Maresca worked with Fernandez at Chelsea before taking on the daunting task of succeeding Pep Guardiola at the Etihad. The report also notes that we are delighted to bring him here and feel very strongly he will improve our team.
