Mansion Sports – Argentina international Enzo Fernández completed his move from Chelsea to Manchester City in the final hours of the summer transfer window after the two clubs reached an agreement worth £125 million.

City confirmed the signing of the 25-year-old on a five-year contract in an official statement released early Wednesday morning.

The deal was completed less than two hours after City announced the signing of Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye for £65 million.

Enzo Matches Isak’s Record

Fernández’s transfer matches the Premier League transfer record previously set by Liverpool with the signing of Alexander Isak, according to "The Sun".

The 25-year-old midfielder underwent a medical before signing a long-term contract. He will reunite with his former Chelsea manager, Italian coach Enzo Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola during the summer.

City opened direct talks with Chelsea on Monday. Negotiations then accelerated during the final hours of the transfer window to complete the deal before the deadline.

Fernández had been seeking to leave Chelsea since March, and Maresca viewed him as an important addition to the midfield, particularly after several players in that position left the club during the summer.

Chelsea had previously expected their player to remain. They set August 14 as the deadline to receive an offer worth no less than £120 million, and City did not submit a bid during that period before the situation changed as the transfer window approached its conclusion.

Enzo’s First Words After Joining City

Fernández told his new club’s official website after signing his contract: "Manchester City is the most successful club in England in recent years. Every player wants to be part of a club like this, because everyone knows how good the management at Manchester City is."

He added: "I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping the team continue winning titles. This is a club built for success. If you look at the squad, you will find quality in every position. I want to learn from my new teammates and become a better player."

He continued: "I always make sure to continue developing my abilities. Everyone who has worked with me knows how hard I train every day and how much I give during matches. I give everything I have, and I can promise Manchester City that I will continue doing so now that I have joined the club."

The Argentine player continued: "I want to thank Hugo, Enzo, Khaldoon, and everyone at Manchester City who made completing this deal possible. I want to repay the trust they have placed in me and prove it as soon as possible."

An Emotional Farewell

Fernández also said goodbye to Chelsea supporters through a message on his social media account, revealing how difficult the days leading up to his departure from Stamford Bridge had been.

He wrote: "I want you to know that these days have not been easy for me, and writing these words has not been easy either. To be honest, I am not in a good place."

He added: "Three years ago, Cobham and Stamford Bridge became home for me and my family. I became attached to the people, the shirt, and the badge of this wonderful club."

He continued: "Thank you for all the love and support you have given me and my family throughout these years. I will never forget it. This group will give you more reasons to be happy, and I will be happy for you too, never doubt that."

He ended his message: "You will always be in my heart, Blues fans. I will always wish the best for all of you. Always blue. Thank you, Chelsea."

Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso, meanwhile, chose not to say much about Fernández’s future when asked about the possibility of his departure after leaving the player out of the squad for one match.

The Spanish coach said: "We will see. We want what is best for the team, and that is the reason we made that decision, and whatever may happen before Tuesday night, we have to be aware of it."

He added: "We are not certain yet, and we are preparing for all scenarios, but I am confident that whatever happens, we will have a good enough team to compete in every Premier League match from Wednesday onwards."

Fernández had previously criticised Chelsea’s management following Maresca’s dismissal in January, as he was unhappy with the coach’s departure midway through the season.

In a previous statement, he said: "I do not understand it. Sometimes there are things that we as players do not understand, including how and in what way they try to manage different situations."

He added: "It is clear that his departure hurt us greatly, especially in the middle of the season, because it stopped everything. We had an identity, and he gave us a clear system, even though football has good and bad periods."

Fernández joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 for £106 million, which at the time was the British transfer record, and subsequently won the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup with the club.

The player and his agent, former Argentina international Javier Pastore, openly expressed their desire for him to leave during the summer. His name was also linked with Real Madrid before the Spanish club issued a statement confirming that they were not pursuing the deal.