Crazy Money! Manchester City Snatch Rival's Star, Matching Historic Transfer Record

Pulse Sports Team 18:10 - 01 September 2026

According to British media, English football club Manchester City has reached an agreement with Chelsea for the transfer of midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The Argentinian international is set to move to the Etihad Stadium for £125 million (approximately €146 million), which would equal the British transfer record. The AFP agency reported the news on Tuesday.

City's management has been pursuing Fernandez for several months and appears set to finalize his arrival just before the transfer deadline. The Premier League transfer window will close at midnight CET on Tuesday. The reported transfer fee would match the sum Liverpool paid for Newcastle's Swedish striker, Alexander Isak, last year.

Manager Enzo Maresca has previously worked with Fernandez at Chelsea. After leaving Stamford Bridge in January, he took the helm at Manchester City over the summer. Maresca was keen on signing Fernandez following the recent sale of influential key player Rodri to Barcelona, as well as the departures of fellow midfielders Bernardo Silva, Nico Gonzalez, and Tijjani Reijnders.

The 25-year-old Argentinian is expected to form a new midfield trio for City alongside Englishman Elliot Anderson and Moroccan Ayyoub Bouaddi. Anderson joined from Nottingham Forest for £116 million, while Bouaddi cost £86 million, making him the most expensive teenager in Premier League history.

Manager Xabi Alonso left Fernandez out of the squad for The Blues' previous two matches as speculation about his move to City intensified. Fernandez joined Chelsea in 2023 from Benfica for £106 million. Last season, he angered the club's management by expressing interest in a move to Real Madrid and was subsequently dropped from the lineup for two games.

Fernandez was sent off in the July World Cup final, where Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time. He also angered English fans with a provocative celebration following Argentina's semi-final victory over Thomas Tuchel's side. He won the World Cup with his national team in Qatar in 2022 and, during his time at Chelsea, won the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Top European clubs are scrambling to complete their final transfers before the deadline. One of the most prominent figures on a hectic day is expected to be American striker Folarin Balogun, who is reportedly close to a move from Monaco to Everton. Furthermore, City's major spending spree may not be over yet.

Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye is nearing a £60 million transfer. The Premier League is on track for a record-breaking transfer window. Clubs have so far spent £2.82 billion, with the all-time record standing at £3.14 billion from 2025.