Manchester City have announced the signing of Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea in a deal worth £125 million, with the player committing to a five-year contract. The transfer was finalised in the closing hours of the summer transfer window, marking one of the most significant moves of the period.
Deal Details and Record Context
The fee matches the highest ever paid for a player in the Premier League, a record previously set by Liverpool when they signed Alexander Isak, according to The Sun. Fernandez, 25, underwent medical checks before putting pen to paper on a long-term deal at the Etihad Stadium.
Reunion with Maresca
The move sees Fernandez link up once again with Italian coach Enzo Maresca, who managed him during his time at Chelsea. Maresca took over at Manchester City in the summer, succeeding Pep Guardiola. The midfielder is seen as a key addition to the squad, particularly following the departure of several players in his position during the off-season.
Negotiations and Player Pressure
Manchester City initiated direct talks with Chelsea on Monday, with negotiations accelerating rapidly in the final hours before the deadline. Fernandez had been pushing for a departure from Stamford Bridge since March, and Maresca viewed him as an essential piece in his midfield plans.
Chelsea had previously expected to keep the player, having set a deadline of 14 August for offers of at least £120 million. No bid was forthcoming from City at that stage, but the landscape shifted as the window drew to a close.
Fernandez’s First Words as a City Player
Speaking to his new club’s official website after signing, Fernandez expressed his excitement: “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. This 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 also spoke about his work ethic: “I always strive to improve. Everyone who has worked with me knows how hard I train 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.”
He concluded with thanks: “I would like to thank Hugo, Enzo, Khaldoon, 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 via social media, revealing the difficulty of the days leading up to his exit. 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 I have not been in a good place.”
He continued: “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. Thank you for all the love and support you have given me and my family over these years. I will never forget it.”
He added: “This group will give you many more reasons to be happy, and I will be happy for you too, never doubt that. You will always be in my heart, Blues fans. I will always wish you the best. Always blue. Thank you, Chelsea.”
Manager’s Perspective and Background
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso remained tight-lipped about Fernandez’s future when asked about the player’s potential departure after he was left out of the squad for a recent match. The Spanish coach said: “We will see. We want what is best for the team, and that is why we made our decisions. 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 criticised Chelsea’s management following Maresca’s dismissal in January, expressing his displeasure at the timing. 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. It is clear that his departure hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season, because it cuts everything off. We had an identity, and he gave us a clear system, even if football has good and bad times.”
Fernandez joined Chelsea in January 2023 from Benfica for £106 million, a then-British record fee. During his time at Stamford Bridge, he won the UEFA Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. His desire to leave was made public during the summer, with Real Madrid also linked, although the Spanish club issued a statement denying any pursuit.