Man City Agree £125m Enzo Fernandez Deal with Chelsea

Manchester City have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign Enzo Fernandez for £125 million, putting the Argentina international on course for one of the biggest transfers in British football history. The midfielder is now expected to undergo a medical before completing a long-term move to the Etihad Stadium.

The agreement was reached on transfer deadline day, September 1, 2026, following negotiations between the two Premier League clubs during the previous 24 hours. Personal terms are not expected to present a problem, although the transfer is not formally complete until the remaining medical and contractual procedures have been finalized.

Deal Equals British Transfer Record

The £125 million package would equal the British transfer record set when Liverpool signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle United in the summer of 2025.

Fernandez already has experience of being involved in a record-breaking transfer. Chelsea paid Benfica around £107 million to sign him in January 2023, shortly after the midfielder played a major role in Argentina’s successful 2022 World Cup campaign.

Should the City deal be completed at the agreed figure, Chelsea would receive considerably more than they originally paid for the 25-year-old.

Fernandez went on to become a major figure at Stamford Bridge, making 170 appearances and scoring 31 goals across competitions, according to The Independent.

Reunion with Enzo Maresca

One of the major factors behind City’s interest is Fernandez’s previous relationship with Enzo Maresca.

The pair worked together during Maresca’s time as Chelsea manager, and reports indicate that they maintained a strong relationship after the Italian left Stamford Bridge. Maresca is now eager to strengthen City’s midfield after several changes to his squad during the summer transfer window.

Fernandez is also understood to be open to working with his former coach again.

His ability to operate in deeper midfield positions while also contributing further forward would give City another technically accomplished option for controlling possession and progressing the ball through central areas.

Fernandez Missed Chelsea’s Recent Matches

Signs that Fernandez could be approaching an exit had become increasingly visible.

He was not involved when Chelsea defeated Brighton 4-3 in the Premier League, and he also missed the Blues’ 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town three days earlier. Reports from Argentina suggested the player had requested not to be included amid uncertainty surrounding his future.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso had previously indicated that he wanted players fully committed to representing the club in his squad.

City’s formal move came late in the window. Chelsea had earlier attempted to establish an August deadline for offers, but the Manchester club did not make an acceptable bid at that stage. The situation changed dramatically as deadline day approached, with negotiations quickly producing the £125 million agreement.

City Continue Major Summer Spending

Fernandez would become another huge investment in Manchester City’s midfield rebuild.

Earlier in the summer, the club signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million, already breaking City’s previous transfer record. The potential arrival of Fernandez means City would break—or effectively reset—that benchmark for a second time during the same window.

City have also strengthened their midfield with Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille as part of an extensive reshaping of the squad. The Independent reported that the club’s overall summer spending could reach extraordinary levels as City continue pursuing additional players.

The investment underlines the club’s determination to remain among the strongest teams in English and European football.

Chelsea Face Late Midfield Decision

For Chelsea, allowing Fernandez to leave creates a significant question in midfield.

Moisés Caicedo remains an important part of the squad, while Romeo Lavia offers another option when available. However, losing a player of Fernandez’s experience and passing quality so late in the transfer window could leave the Blues with reduced depth.

Chelsea have consequently explored potential replacements, with Monaco’s Lamine Camara and Roma midfielder Manu Koné among the players linked with the club. Whether another midfielder can arrive before the deadline remains uncertain.

For now, the focus turns to Fernandez’s medical and final paperwork. If those stages are completed successfully, Manchester City will secure one of the most expensive midfielders in football history while reuniting him with Enzo Maresca at the Etihad Stadium.