Enzo Fernandez transfer news: Man City sign midfielder from Chelsea in British-record-equalling £125m deal
Enzo Fernandez joins Man City from Chelsea for £125m; Fee matches British record Liverpool paid Newcastle for Alexander Isak last summer; Chelsea furious that Monaco pulled out of deal to sell Lamine Camara as replacement for Fernandez
Wednesday 2 September 2026 00:28, UK
Manchester City have signed Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a joint-British-record fee of £125m.
The size of the fee matches the amount Liverpool paid Newcastle for Alexander Isak on Deadline Day a year ago. The Argentine midfielder has signed a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.
The Fernandez deal comes amid Chelsea fury that Monaco pulled out of selling Lamine Camara - who was deemed as the Argentine's replacement - in the final minutes of the window.
Chelsea had the option of pulling the plug on Fernandez to Man City after the Camara deal collapsed - but they stuck to their word and honoured their commitment to complete the deal.
Fernandez's Deadline Day move comes more than three months after the Argentina international first told Chelsea he wanted to leave, and more than two weeks after the club imposed a deadline for bids.
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Chelsea will make a £18m profit on the midfielder they signed for £107m three-and-a-half years ago, and Fernandez is now reunited with his former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
"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."
How Monaco stopped Chelsea getting a replacement
Camara was set to join Chelsea for £47m and was going to sign a six-year deal pending a medical.
Just after the 11pm transfer deadline passed, news emerged that Monaco reneged on the agreement they had with Chelsea, and they had informed the Blues of their decision in writing.
The reason for Monaco pulling out was due to the French club successfully renegotiating the deal to sell Folarin Balogun to Everton.
There was a full written club-to-club agreement with Chelsea to complete the Camara deal and the Premier League club feels Monaco have acted in an extraordinary and deeply unprofessional way.
Fernandez sends farewell message to Chelsea
Enzo Fernandez in his Chelsea farewell Instagram message:
Dear Chelsea,
I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me. Writing this is not easy either. The truth is, I haven't been in a good place.
Three years ago, Cobham and Stamford Bridge became home for me and my family. I grew attached to the people, to the shirt, and to the badge of this incredible club.
Believe me when I say that, from the moment I arrived, I became obsessed with winning and with bringing this club every trophy that its history deserves. We suffered, we cried, I got angry many times, but we also celebrated titles and unforgettable victories. Together, through the good times and the difficult ones.
I live football the same way I live my life: with passion and with all my heart. That is why I want you to know that I understand you. I truly understand you, from the bottom of my heart.
But life is about making decisions, and right now I find myself having to make one of those difficult decisions. I've said it before, but I want to say it again: I have grown incredibly fond of this club. Chelsea will always have a place in my thoughts and, above all, in my heart.
But I also understand how football works. I know how passionate you are, because I am the same. And if I were in your position, I would probably be thinking the same way.
I want to thank every single one of you: the staff, the coaching team, the medical team, the physios, and everyone who works at Cobham and throughout this great institution.
To all my teammates over these years, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing so many moments with me. I was truly happy here, and I wish you nothing but the very best for the future.
Thank you for all the love and support you have given me and my family throughout these years. I will never forget it.
This group will give you many more reasons to be happy, and I will be happy for you too. Never doubt that.
You will always be in my heart, Blues. I will always wish you, always, nothing but the very best.
Always Blue.
Thank you, Chelsea. 💙
Enzo.
