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Manchester City reportedly agreed a £125 million deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, matching the British record fee.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez (AFP)
Manchester City have reportedly agreed a £125 million (₹16,042.5 crore) deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, with the Argentina international now on the verge of completing a blockbuster deadline-day move to the Etihad Stadium.
The proposed transfer would match the British record fee, equalling the amount Liverpool paid Newcastle United for Sweden striker Alexander Isak last year.
City have been pursuing Fernandez for several months, with manager Enzo Maresca understood to be keen on bringing the midfielder to Manchester. Maresca previously worked with Fernandez at Chelsea before leaving Stamford Bridge in January and taking charge of City during the summer.
Fernandez has emerged as a key target as City rebuild their midfield following Rodri’s move to Barcelona. Bernardo Silva, Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders have also departed, leaving Maresca looking to reshape the centre of the pitch.
The 25-year-old is expected to form part of a new-look midfield alongside England international Elliot Anderson and Moroccan youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi. Anderson joined City from Nottingham Forest for £116 million (₹14,887.4 crore), while Bouaddi reportedly cost £86 million (₹11,037.2 crore), making him the most expensive teenager in Premier League history.
Fernandez’s Chelsea future had already come under intense scrutiny after new manager Xabi Alonso left him out of the squad for the club’s previous two matches amid mounting transfer speculation.
The midfielder arrived at Chelsea from Benfica for £106 million (₹13,604 crore) in 2023 and has endured a turbulent spell at Stamford Bridge. He was dropped for two matches last season after expressing an interest in a move to Real Madrid.
Fernandez has also courted controversy on the international stage, receiving a red card during Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain in July. He previously angered England supporters with his celebration following Argentina’s semi-final victory over Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Despite the controversies, Fernandez has won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea.
(With AFP Inputs)
September 01, 2026, 23:01 IST
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