Enzo Fernández Move Sets a New British Transfer Record

Manchester City is reportedly ready to pay €146 million for Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández, a fee that would set the highest transfer record in Britain.

Chelsea and City have not yet confirmed the deal, but British broadcaster BBC reported that the clubs have been negotiating for the 25-year-old. The move would rank fourth among the most expensive transfers in football history. Only Neymar's €222 million transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappé's €180 million move from Monaco to PSG and Ousmane Dembélé's €148 million move from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona would stand above it.

Fernández joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for €121 million. City would therefore pay almost €25 million more for the midfielder. The proposed fee would also match Liverpool's reported €146 million payment for Sweden's Alexander Isak from Newcastle 12 months earlier, making Fernández the most expensive player ever transferred in Britain.

Fernández began his career at River Plate before moving to Benfica for €44 million in 2022. He spent only half a season in Portugal before Chelsea brought him to England. He has made 170 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 31 goals and providing 30 assists. He played 29 matches for Benfica and 53 for River Plate.

For Argentina, Fernández has won 49 caps and scored eight goals. He helped the national team win the World Cup in Qatar four years ago. This year, he played in the World Cup final, where Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time, and he was sent off before the match ended. City has also signed midfielders Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for €135 million and Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for €95 million in this transfer window.