Manchester City reportedly agree £125 million deal for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez

Manchester City have reportedly agreed a blockbuster £125 million deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, a move that would match the British transfer record.

The Argentina international has attracted City’s interest for several months and is reportedly close to moving to the Etihad Stadium on deadline day. The fee would equal the amount Liverpool paid Newcastle for Sweden striker Alexander Isak last year.

City manager Enzo Maresca previously worked with Fernandez at Chelsea before leaving Stamford Bridge in January and taking charge of City during the close season. He reportedly wanted the midfielder after the departures of Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders. Rodri, described as an influential World Cup winner, recently joined Barcelona.

Fernandez, 25, would form part of City’s revamped central midfield alongside England’s Elliot Anderson and Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi. Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest for £116 million, while Bouaddi cost £86 million, making him the most expensive teenager in Premier League history.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso left Fernandez out of his squad for the club’s previous two matches as speculation about the transfer intensified. Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica for £106 million in 2023. He has won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup with the London club, but has also drawn controversy over his interest in Real Madrid and a provocative celebration involving England supporters.