Manchester City have reached an agreement to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez for a fee of $169 million, a figure that equals the Premier League transfer record, according to multiple reports. Sources told ESPN, The Athletic, and the BBC of the deal on Tuesday, while The Athletic also reported the fee. The transfer matches the sum Liverpool paid Newcastle United for Alexander Isak last summer.
Fernandez, a 25-year-old Argentina international, is expected to travel to Manchester to complete his medical and sign his contract, as reported by David Ornstein, Fabrizio Romano, Sky in Italy, and Sky in Germany. He will link up with Enzo Maresca, his former boss at Chelsea, who now manages Manchester City.
A Long-Awaited Move
The transfer concludes a lengthy pursuit by Manchester City, who had initially failed to meet Chelsea's self-imposed deadline of Aug. 14. By missing that deadline, City passed up the chance to sign Fernandez for $162.5 million (£120 million) and now must pay the higher fee of $169 million (£125 million). This increase has elevated the deal to record-equaling status.
Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 for £106 million, which was then a British transfer record. This new move makes him the only soccer player ever to command two transfer fees in excess of £100 million. Allan Clarke is the only other player to break the British transfer record twice, having moved to Leicester City and then Leeds United in 1969.
Only Paris Saint-Germain's double swoop of Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé has ever cost more in any competition. Only 15 players have surpassed the £100 million mark, with four already moving this summer, including Morgan Rogers, Elliot Anderson, Yan Diomande, and Bradley Barcola.
Impact at Manchester City
Fernandez's arrival completes a significant overhaul of Manchester City's midfield. The club had already spent $260 million on Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer, bringing their total midfield spending to $330 million. This investment comes after the departures of Rodri and Bernardo Silva, who left for Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.
Fernandez, who recorded 10 goals and four assists in 36 Premier League appearances for Chelsea last season, will add goals and drive to City's midfield. He played 26 minutes in Chelsea's season-opening 3-2 win over Fulham on Aug. 24 but was omitted from their Carabao Cup win over Luton Town and their 4-3 victory over Brighton on Sunday.
He also scored two goals in seven appearances for Argentina during the 2026 World Cup. Fernandez said he never paid attention to the record transfer fee and didn't feel the pressure personally.