City agree £125m deal for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández

Harry Archie September 2, 2026

Manchester City have agreed a deal worth £125m to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, with the fee matching the British transfer record.

Fernández joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for £107m, which was a British-record fee at the time. His move to City will equal the £125m Liverpool paid Newcastle United for Alexander Isak last summer.

The two clubs spent 24 hours negotiating before reaching an agreement, with Fernández now set to undergo a medical ahead of signing a long-term contract with City.

Personal terms are not expected to be an issue.

The Argentina international will be reunited with City manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with him at Chelsea.

Maresca was keen to work with Fernández again after City lost several midfielders during the summer transfer window.

Fernández was left out of Chelsea’s squad for their 4-3 Premier League victory over Brighton on Sunday and their 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Luton three days earlier.

Reports from Argentina indicated that the midfielder had personally asked not to be included in the squads as he sought a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Fernández spent three-and-a-half years at Chelsea, making 170 appearances and scoring 31 goals. He also helped the club win the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup.

His move to Manchester City makes him the club’s most expensive signing, surpassing the £116m spent on Elliot Anderson.

Fernández also becomes the first player to have been transferred twice for fees of more than £100m. Chelsea paid £107m to sign him from Benfica in 2023.

Chelsea are expected to receive around £18m in profit from the sale, while City see the Argentine as a key addition to their revamped midfield.