![Manchester City Equal British Transfer Record With £125m Enzo Fernández Signing](https://bwgamehub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/enzo-scaled.jpg) # Manchester City Equal British Transfer Record With £125m Enzo Fernández Signing Published: Sep 02. 2026 Reading Time: 5 mins Source: Alamy Stock Photo Manchester City have completed the signing of Enzo Fernández from Chelsea for a £125 million fee, which made him the most expensive player in British football history. According to [Man City](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/enzo-fernandez-signs-for-city-63923893), Fernández has signed a five-year contract that will keep him ay Man City up until 2031. Enzo becomes the first footballer to be paid for his transfer an amount which exceeded £100 million on two occasions. The first one was from Benfica to Chelsea and his transfer now to Man City.  ## **Fernández Becomes the Centrepiece of City’s Rebuild** City have invested heavily after finishing seven points behind Premier League champions Arsenal in 2025/26. They have opened the new league campaign with two victories, but the addition of Fernández represents their clearest attempt yet to strengthen a midfield undergoing significant change following Pep Guardiola’s departure.  Enzo joins a squad that recently included the new signings Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Allan Elias and Iliman Ndiaye who also arrived at the deadline day from Everton. Enzo helped Argentina win the World cup in 2022 and the Copa América in 2024. With Chelsea he won the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.  ## **Career-Best Chelsea Season Highlights His Development** Fernández leaves Chelsea following the most productive season of his career. He made 54 appearances during the 2025/26 campaign, starting 49 times and playing 4,835 minutes across all competitions. The midfielder recorded 15 goals and seven assists, giving him 22 direct goal contributions at an average of approximately one every 220 minutes. He played more matches than any other Chelsea player and finished as the club’s second-highest scorer, with five of his goals coming from the penalty spot.  That return demonstrated how his role had developed beyond progressing possession from deeper midfield areas. Fernández increasingly influenced matches closer to the opposition penalty area, making well-timed forward runs and providing an additional scoring option from central positions. He scored 31 goals in 175 appearances for Chelsea with almost half of them coming in his final season at the club. He won the Conference League and Club World Cup during his time. Hugo Viana, Manchester City’s director of football, described Fernández as a complete midfielder, highlighting his technique, work rate, tenacity and capacity to contribute goals. City also believe his ability to operate in possession or during quicker transitions will make him suitable for different tactical approaches.  Maresca could therefore use Fernández as part of a double pivot, as the more advanced member of a midfield three or in the attacking central role Chelsea occasionally gave him in a 4-2-3-1. His familiarity with the manager’s methods may also help reduce the normal adjustment period associated with such a major transfer.  ## **Chelsea Proceed Despite Lamine Camara Deal Collapse** Chelsea’s deadline-day planning was complicated by the collapse of their proposed move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara. The clubs had reportedly reached an agreement worth approximately £47 million, with the Senegal international identified as the preferred replacement for Fernández. Monaco pulled out of the deal after Everton re-negotiated the terms of the proposed transfer for Balogun to join Everton. After the deadline, Balogun turned down a move to Everton.  The situation took another unexpected turn after the deadline when Balogun decided not to complete his move to Everton. Reports indicated that concerns emerging during his medical had led Everton to reopen negotiations with Monaco before the striker ultimately walked away from the transfer.  Chelsea could have reconsidered the Fernández sale after losing their intended replacement, but the London club elected to preserve its agreement with Manchester City. The decision leaves Chelsea without a direct deadline-day successor to a player who had led the squad in appearances during the previous campaign.  On a straightforward comparison of transfer fees, Chelsea are receiving approximately £18 million more than the amount they paid Benfica in 2023. However, the sporting cost is more difficult to quantify given Fernández’s availability, leadership role and improved attacking contribution during his final season.  ## **Fernández Thanks Chelsea Before Beginning City Chapter** Fernández acknowledged the emotion surrounding his departure in a farewell message published on social media. He said the final days of the transfer process had been difficult, thanked Chelsea’s supporters, players and staff, and recognised why some fans might be disappointed by his decision. The midfielder nevertheless made clear that he retained a strong attachment to Chelsea, describing Stamford Bridge and the club’s Cobham training base as important places for his family during his time in London.  Following confirmation of the transfer, Fernández said he was delighted to join City and ready to contribute to the club’s pursuit of further trophies. His arrival gives Maresca a player entering his prime with extensive Premier League experience, proven international pedigree and a recent record of producing decisive goals. The scale of the fee places considerable expectations on both the player and Manchester City. For City, the transfer is intended to strengthen their attempt to regain the Premier League title. For Chelsea, the long-term assessment will depend on how effectively they compensate for Fernández’s departure after failing to complete the Camara signing.