Manchester City have agreed a £125m ($169m) fee with Chelsea for Argentinian midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The package for Enzo is a British transfer record, equal to Liverpool’s signing of Alexander Isak last season. The 25-year-old midfielder has been permitted to travel to Manchester to undergo a medical and finalize a his contract with City.
What’s next for Enzo Fernandez and Man City?
After a summer-long transfer saga, City’s deal for Fernandez completes their £325m midfield rebuild after the signings of Elliot Anderson (£115m) and Ayyoub Bouaddi (£85m). Enzo was the final piece of the puzzle for City this summer, with new head coach Enzo Maresca heavily pushing for a reunion with his former player.
Issues began with this deal after Chelsea issued a deadline for a departure as they looked to finalize their squad before the commencement of the Premier League season. Sources said Chelsea wanted £120m for Fernandez, and a deal after their placed deadline would have to be for a higher fee. Another aspect that led to complications for City was Chelsea’s replacement search. The London-based club wanted to bring in another midfielder in order to green light Enzo’s departure. While a deal has not yet been finalized, rumors suggest that Chelsea are heavily linked with Monaco’s Lamine Camara.
With the deal now done, Enzo Fernandez and his negative relationship with the Chelsea fanbase is now over. At Manchester City, expectations are that Maresca will lean heavily on the Argentine midfielder and have him directly step into a leadership role within the club. The only question becomes where he fits within Maresca’s new system, and who he plays alongside in City’s starting XI.
When will Enzo Fernandez make his debut for Man City?
Enzo Fernandez could potentially make his official Manchester City debut as early as Saturday, September 5, when City host Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium. If not deemed ready in time for this weekend’s league fixture, Enzo’s next opportunity to make his City debut will be next Tuesday at City travel to Portugal to face Porto in their opening UEFA Champions League league phase match.
