Manchester City agree Enzo Fernandez deal with Chelsea

The New York Times • September 1, 2026 • sports

Key Points:

Manchester City have agreed to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez for £125 million, matching the British transfer record previously set by Liverpool's purchase of Alexander Isak.
Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 for £106.8 million, has been given permission to undergo a medical ahead of the move, ending a prolonged transfer saga.
Chelsea had valued Fernandez at £120 million and initially expected him to stay for the 2026-27 season, but City shifted focus to Fernandez after failing to secure Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo.
Fernandez faced fan backlash at Chelsea and was left out of recent matches amid uncertainty over his future, with his agent criticizing the club’s disciplinary actions as unfair.
Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey suggests Chelsea will miss Fernandez's playing qualities but sees his departure as beneficial for the club's cultural reset and midfield overhaul under new manager Xabi Alonso.

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