Manchester City have completed the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a joint-British transfer record £125 million, taking their spending to a Premier League record £458 million in a single transfer window.
Fernandez’s move matches the £125 million Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak on transfer deadline day last summer and marks City’s second club-record signing in two months.
City’s spending surpasses Liverpool’s previous Premier League record of £415 million in a single window last summer. However, the champions have also generated about £300 million from player sales this summer.
The clubs reached an agreement on Tuesday after negotiating the deal over the previous 24 hours.
Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for a then-British record £107 million. The 25-year-old Argentina international now leaves Stamford Bridge after just over three years at the club.
Fernandez had been linked with a move to Real Madrid earlier in the summer and faced growing discontent from Chelsea supporters.
He was booed during Chelsea’s friendly against Real Sociedad and again when he came on as a substitute in their Premier League opener against Fulham.
Fernandez was not involved in Chelsea’s 4-3 Premier League victory over Brighton on Sunday or their 2-0 Carabao Cup win against Luton, with reports in Argentina claiming he had asked to be left out of the squad.
In an open letter to Chelsea supporters on Instagram, Fernandez admitted the decision to leave had been difficult.
“I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me,” he wrote.
“From the moment I arrived at Chelsea, I became obsessed with winning and with bringing this club every trophy that its history deserves.”
Fernandez said Chelsea would “always be in my heart”, adding that he could understand the frustration of supporters over his decision to leave.
Chelsea had set a deadline of 17:00 BST on August 14 for clubs to submit offers of at least £120 million for Fernandez, seeking to resolve uncertainty over his future before the new season.
The midfielder will now reunite with City manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with him during his time as Chelsea manager.
Maresca pushed for the move after City lost several midfielders during the summer.
“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,” Fernandez told City’s website.
“I want to learn from my new teammates and become a better player. I give absolutely everything, and I can promise Manchester City that I will continue now I’m here.”
Fernandez becomes the fourth player to move to a Premier League club for at least £100 million this summer.
Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers for £117 million, while Liverpool paid £123 million for Bradley Barcola. City also signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million in July.
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