Record-Breaking Transfer Completed
Manchester City have signed Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a joint-British-record fee of £125 million, as reported by Sky Sports and The Canberra Times. The fee matches the amount Liverpool paid Newcastle for Alexander Isak on Deadline Day a year earlier, according to both outlets. Fernandez has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, with The Canberra Times noting the deal runs until 2031.
The 25-year-old reunites with Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca, his former boss at Chelsea, as reported by Sky Sports, TEAMtalk, and The Canberra Times.
Player and Club Reactions
Fernandez expressed his enthusiasm in a statement after the move, saying: "Manchester City are the most successful club in England in recent times." He added, "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 thanked those involved in the deal: "I want to thank Hugo, Enzo, Khaldoon and everyone at City who has made this deal possible."
Manchester City Director of Football Hugo Viana praised the midfielder, saying: "He is a complete midfielder: technically gifted, hardworking, tenacious and a goalscorer." Viana noted Fernandez's experience in two World Cup finals and trophies in multiple countries, adding, "We are delighted to bring him here and feel very strongly he will improve our team."
Fernandez also wrote an emotional farewell message to Chelsea fans on Instagram, as reported by TEAMtalk, expressing the difficulty of leaving the club.
Chelsea's Deadline Day Drama
Chelsea's decision to sell Fernandez came amid frustration that Monaco pulled out of selling Lamine Camara in the final minutes of the transfer window, according to Sky Sports. Camara was reportedly considered Fernandez's replacement. Sky Sports reported that Chelsea had the option to cancel the Fernandez deal after Camara's move collapsed but chose to honour their commitment.
Chelsea will make an £18 million profit on Fernandez, who they signed for £107 million three-and-a-half years ago, as reported by Sky Sports. The Canberra Times also reported the deal, describing it as a British record fee.
Other Deadline Day Moves
Manchester City also signed Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye for up to £65 million, with his contract also running until 2031, as reported by The Canberra Times.
Chelsea completed several other deals, including Tosin Adarabioyo moving to Tottenham for £7 million, Mykhailo Mudryk joining Tottenham on loan with a £75 million option, and Robert Sanchez moving to Como on loan. The Canberra Times also reported that Marc Guiu signed for RB Leipzig, and Chelsea agreed a deal to sign Honest Ahanor from Atalanta next summer.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa signed Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris St Germain for a reported club-record £47 million and Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton for a deal rising to £30 million, as reported by The Canberra Times. Newcastle signed Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille for £51 million and sent Nick Woltemade on loan to Juventus.
Everton secured Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City, while Beto moved to Fiorentina and Nathan Patterson joined Torino. Manchester United failed to agree a deal for Leicester's Louis Page and kept Joshua Zirkzee. Ipswich signed Zian Flemming from Burnley, and Brighton sealed a late deal for Stuttgart midfielder Chema Andres.
Ben Chilwell completed a late move to Crystal Palace, and Hayden Matthews joined Bradford City on loan from Portsmouth, as reported by The Canberra Times.