Man City complete Enzo Fernandez signing from Chelsea

Manchester City have completed the signing of Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández from Chelsea for a fee worth £125 million, with a the vice-captain signing a five-year contract until 2031.

The fee was agreed after a lengthy negotiation with Chelsea — becoming a joint British transfer record along with the £125m Liverpool paid Newcastle United for Alexander Isak.

Man City opened club-to-club talks with Chelsea late in the transfer window after the Blues’ initial £120 million valuation and deadline for Fernandez’s potential departure had expired several days earlier.

Read more: Liverpool confirm Bradley Barcola signing from PSG

Sources maintained that City never left the negotiation table — they kept the door open even after Chelsea’s August 14th deadline to bid for the 25-year-old midfielder.

Former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, who joined the club this summer was keen on reuniting with the World Cup winner.

Chelsea were understood to have revised their initial £120 million asking price for the midfielder, with the club now reportedly demanding close to £140 million for the former Benfica player, whom they signed for £106.8 million in 2023.

The Argentine international played in Xabi Alonso’s first Premier League game of the season against Fulham but was not involved against Luton in the Carabao Cup and left out again in Chelsea’s 4-3 goal fest at Stamford Bridge against Brighton.

Maresca’s rebuilding at City continues to take shape with reinforcement in central midfield becoming an even bigger priority, following Rodri’s departure to Barcelona earlier this month.

Newcastle United have completed Nico Gonzalez signing from City in a transfer worth up to £50m, with Tijjani Reijnders recently departing for Al Qadsiah for £51m. Bernardo Silva left City following the expiry of his contract and has since joined Real Madrid.