Record-Equalling Transfer Completed

Manchester City have completed a £125 million deal for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to multiple reports. The fee matches the Premier League record, equal to the amount Liverpool paid Newcastle United for Alexander Isak last summer, as reported by NewsX. uk described the deal as "stunning" and noted that it makes the Argentine the joint-most expensive player in Premier League history.

Fernandez has been given permission to undergo a medical after City and Chelsea reached an agreement, NewsX reported. According to a ESPN report cited by NewsX, City intensified negotiations over the past 48 hours and eventually agreed to pay £5 million more than Chelsea's initial asking price of £120 million.

Chelsea had set that asking price and given interested parties until August 14 to formalise their interest, according to NewsX. uk added that City missed that deadline last month but continued negotiations before making a breakthrough just hours before the transfer deadline.

A Turbulent Exit from Stamford Bridge

The 25-year-old had been pushing for a move away from Chelsea despite the club's efforts to retain him, as reported by NewsX and uk. He made it clear earlier in the summer that he wanted to leave, uk reported.

Fernandez's relationship with Chelsea supporters had deteriorated in recent weeks, according to NewsX. He was booed during the club's final pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad and again in their Premier League opener against Fulham, NewsX reported. New Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso subsequently left Fernandez out of the squad for the midweek Carabao Cup victory over Luton. "It was better [for him] not to be part of the squad," Alonso said after the decision, as quoted by NewsX.

uk noted that Fernandez was left out of Chelsea's first two Premier League games of the season. He had also cast doubt over his future last season: following Chelsea's Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain, he told ESPN Argentina that he did not know whether he would remain at the club for the following campaign, NewsX reported. The midfielder was later dropped for two matches by former head coach Liam Rosenior after an interview in which Fernandez expressed his fondness for Madrid amid reported interest from Real Madrid, according to NewsX.

Player's Ambitions and New Start

Fernandez was keen to secure a move to Real Madrid during the World Cup but also approved a switch to Manchester City, where he will play under former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, according to uk. He could make his City debut in Saturday's clash against Coventry City, uk reported.

After moving to the Etihad Stadium, Fernandez said,"Manchester City are the most successful club in England in recent times. 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." He also said,"This is a club built for success," as reported by uk.

Fernandez's arrival would add another major international midfielder to Maresca's squad as the club continues to strengthen for the new season, NewsX reported. Chelsea are now looking to bring in a replacement, with Roma's Manu Kone and Monaco's Lamine Camara among the players being considered, according to NewsX.

Scholes Warns of Title Blow

Paul Scholes, the former Manchester United and England midfielder, has said Chelsea have "ruined" their chances of challenging for the Premier League title by selling Fernandez, uk reported. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes said,"I don't think he was unhappy at Chelsea but he had his head turned by Manchester City."

"But if Chelsea want to win the Premier League — which, look, I don't think they can anyway, but they can't let Enzo Fernandez go," he added. Scholes also criticised Chelsea's midfield options,"They had Malo Gusto in midfield the other day,that's not going to be good enough. Reece James has started in midfield,that's not going to be good enough."

Scholes, who said he "wasn't a massive fan" of Fernandez when he first arrived in England but now views him as a "brilliant player," described the midfielder as a huge loss to Chelsea. He said,"He would be very good for Man City but Chelsea can't let it happen, that is a direct rival."

Scholes also referenced City's previous pursuit of Chelsea's manager,"City have already had Chelsea's pants down with the manager, they obviously unsettled him and were talking to him about coming in the summer. That ruined Chelsea's season really because they were flying at the time, they were going really well." He concluded,"If Enzo Fernandez goes to Manchester City,that could potentially ruin Chelsea's season."

Chelsea, tipped by some as dark horses for the title under Alonso, face defending champions Arsenal this weekend, and Scholes cannot see them challenging without Fernandez, uk reported.