Manchester City have completed the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea in a deal that equals the British record.
Fernandez arrives at the Etihad Stadium for a fee of £125million, matching the amount Liverpool paid Newcastle United for Alexander Isak last summer.
As was the case with that deal, City’s pursuit of Fernandez went right to the last day of the window, but it has ended with them getting the final piece of the puzzle in terms of the revamp of their midfield.
Fernandez becomes City’s ninth signing of the summer and the third midfielder they have added to their ranks following the acquisitions of Elliot Anderson for £116m and Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for £86m.
Former midfielder lynchpin Rodri left to join Barcelona, with Nico Gonzalez moving to Newcastle and Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders signing for Real Madrid and Al Qadsiah respectively.
Fernandez ‘could not be happier’ with City move
City will now look for Fernandez to form a fearsome combination with Anderson and Bouaddi after reuniting him with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
And Fernandez promised to give everything to make sure that proves to be the case.
“Manchester City are the most successful club in England in recent times,” he told the club’s official website.
“Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are.
“I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies. 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.
“I pride myself on continually improving my game. Anyone who’s worked with me will know how hard I train every single day and how much I put into matches. I give absolutely everything and I can promise Manchester City that will continue now I’m here.
“I want to thank Hugo [Viana], Enzo, Khaldoon [Al Mubarak] and everyone at City who has made this deal possible. I want to take the faith shown in me and repay it as soon as possible.”
Fernandez a “complete midfielder”
The fee City have paid for Fernandez is obviously reflective of how highly they think of the Argentina international.
Fernandez scored 31 goals and provided 29 assists after joining Chelsea from Benfica in 2023, and sporting director Hugo Viana was effusive in his praise of what he brings to the table.
“At Manchester City, we are always looking to bring in world-class players and Enzo fits the bill,” Viana said.
“He is a complete midfielder: technically gifted, hardworking, tenacious and a goalscorer.
“He is adept at playing different styles of football. He is comfortable playing a possession-based game, and he can play on the counter effectively, too.
“To have played in two World Cup finals and won major trophies in multiple countries at just 25 says everything you need to know about his mentality, professionalism and technical quality.
“We are delighted to bring him here and feel very strongly he will improve our team.”
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