Man City confirm Enzo Fernández transfer in record Ksh21B deal
By Luke Oluoch, September 2, 2026Manchester City has completed the signing of Enzo Fernández, with a joint-British transfer record fee of Ksh21.87 billion (£125m) being paid to Chelsea for the midfielder.
Fernández joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for a then-British record fee of Ksh18.72 billion (£107m), with his latest switch matching the Ksh 21.87 billion (£125m) that Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak.
Record-breaking fee
Fernández will now become Manchester City’s club record transfer, surpassing what the club paid for Elliot Anderson back in June 2026. It also makes Fernández the first player to be sold for over 100 million pounds more than once, while making the Argentine the leading transfer fee this summer.
The midfielder has been the subject of a protracted transfer after returning from the World Cup to a rather hostile reception from Chelsea fans.
Whereas his potential exit was not initially envisioned, events surrounding his departure started surfacing after Rodri’s exit to Barcelona left City with an immediate need to strengthen their midfield options, despite having signed England’s 2026 World Cup prodigy, Anderson, from Nottingham Forest.
Rodri, the Spanish World Cup-winning skipper aged 30, had entered the final year of his contract, although City were keen to retain the Spain international.
Enzo finally exits
It dawned on Chelsea fans that the World Cup winner could be headed out as talks between the sides started. City initially encountered a setback after they failed to make a bid for the former River Plate player, failing behind an imposed deadline set by the London club.
Chelsea had initially been reluctant to approve Enzo Fernández’s transfer to City, as they wanted to secure a replacement in midfield first. However, they reached a deal for the record-matching switch on deadline day, adding to the list of Argentine internationals to have played for City such as Sergi Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta, Carlos Tevez, among other top stars from the 2022 world champions and the South American country.
Other star arrival
He adds to a summer intake alongside Iliman Ndiaye, Brazilian Allan Elias, Ayyoub Bouaddi (the 18-year-old French-born Moroccan), and Anderson.
Other City’s summer new signings are Mathys Detourbet, Perice Charles, and Argentine keeper Geronimo Rulli.