Manchester City have agreed a British record transfer fee of €145m (£125m) with Chelsea to sign Argentina international midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
The 25-year-old midfielder was targeted by Manchester City as the designated replacement for Rodri, the Spanish international who plays in central midfield for City. Interest from the Manchester club had been known for a long time, but discussions with Chelsea initially failed to produce an agreement as time pressed. Manchester City persisted with their negotiations and ultimately convinced the London club to sell by submitting the €145m proposal.
According to a report by David Ornstein of The Athletic, Chelsea have granted Fernandez permission to undergo a medical and complete his move to Manchester City. The £125m package matches the record for the highest transfer fee in British football history, with only formal medical examinations and contract signatures remaining to complete the deal.
British transfer record history
Fernandez originally signed for Chelsea in January 2023, when the London club paid €123m to Portuguese side Benfica, based in Lisbon. At that time, the €123m deal established a new milestone as the most expensive transfer ever completed by an English Premier League football team.
Over his three and a half years at Chelsea, the Argentine midfielder made 170 appearances in all competitions wearing the shirt of the London club. Playing in central midfield, he scored 31 goals and provided 30 assists during his spell at Stamford Bridge.
Reunion with Enzo Maresca
The move to Manchester City will see Fernandez reunite with manager Enzo Maresca. The player and the coach previously worked together for one and a half years during Maresca's spell in charge of Chelsea.
Fernandez is now preparing for his transition from London to Manchester City. The Argentine midfielder will undergo his scheduled medical examinations and sign his contract paperwork to complete his move.
