Enzo Fernandez believes Manchester City is “a club built for success” and is ready to help them “continue winning trophies” after joining from Chelsea in a £125m move that matches the British transfer record.
The Argentina international has signed a five-year contract after City reached an agreement with Chelsea in talks that accelerated over the past 48 hours.
The fee is the same as the amount Liverpool paid Newcastle for Alexander Isak last summer.
Fernandez becomes the third major midfield signing made by City this summer. The club have spent £327m on midfielders after also bringing in Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m and Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for £86m.
The move reunites Fernandez with Enzo Maresca, who coached the midfielder at Chelsea. City had identified the 25-year-old as a key target as they reshaped their squad following the departures of Rodri, who joined Barcelona, Bernardo Silva, who moved to Real Madrid, and Nico Gonzalez, who signed for Newcastle.
“Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are,” Fernandez said on his unveiling.
“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.”
Enzo Fernández is here 🤝 pic.twitter.com/NWyxbpGquy
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 1, 2026
Chelsea had set an asking price of £120m and had communicated the figure to potential buyers in late May. They initially imposed a 14 August deadline for interested clubs to formalise their bids, but no deal was reached at that stage.
Fernandez remained determined to leave and City eventually agreed to pay £5m more than Chelsea’s original valuation.
The sale went ahead despite Chelsea’s failure to secure their preferred replacement. The club had reached a written agreement worth £47m with Monaco for Lamine Camara, but the Ligue 1 side withdrew from the deal as the transfer deadline approached.
Fernandez, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, also helped his country reach the final of this summer’s tournament in North America, where they lost to Spain.
“I pride myself on continually improving my game,” he said. “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.”
