Enzo Fernandez has signed a five-year contract at Man City until 2031
Man City completes 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 Premier League club 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.
Fernandez has been handed the icon No. 17 shirt, previously worn by club legend, Kevin De Bruyne, who wore the shirt from 2015 until his departure in 2025.
City have completed the signing of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille with the midfielder moving to the Etihad Stadium for £86m in a world-record deal for a teenager.
Speaking to Man City following his switch, Fernandez said: “Manchester City are the most successful club in England in recent times,” said Fernandez after making the move.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea were dealt a big blow after Monaco pulled out of selling Lamine Camara, who was deemed the Argentine’s replacement, in the final minutes of the window.
The heat of the moment, clearly disappointed, Chelsea had the option of pulling the plug on Fernandez to Man City after the Camara deal collapsed — but they remained professional in their dealings, and honoured their commitment to complete the deal.
Chelsea will, however, take solace from making £18m profit on the midfielder they signed for £106.8m three-and-a-half years ago, and Fernandez is now reunited with his former Chelsea boss Maresca.
Ishmael Amonoo
Ishmael Samuel Amonoo is a football and sports journalist with experience in editing and feature writing across domestic and international competitions. He covers the Premier League, Champions League, international football and major sporting events. His work is driven by a commitment to accuracy, storytelling and delivering high-quality sports content to a global audience.
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