On deadline day of the 2024 European summer transfer window, English Premier League powerhouse Manchester City pulled off a blockbuster series of moves, capping off an unprecedented $440 million midfield rebuild by securing Argentine international Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea in a £125 million ($169 million) deal that equals the British transfer record.
The 2022 World Cup winner’s move to the Etihad Stadium marks the third high-value central midfield arrival City has landed this window for over $100 million, joining teen prospect Ayyoub Bouaddi, who joined from French side Lille for $117 million, and England international Elliot Anderson, who cost the club $155 million. When coupled with the signing of Senegalese winger Iliman Ndiaye, which was announced the same day, City’s total spending on new recruits this summer crosses $600 million — an unmatched figure for any single club across Europe in one transfer window. Offloading exiting players has helped offset the outlay, however, with the club recouping close to $400 million through sales to date.
Alongside Fernandez, City confirmed Ndiaye’s arrival from Everton for an initial £60 million ($81 million). The Senegalese international adds depth and competition to City’s wide attacking corps under new manager Enzo Maresca, joining existing options Antoine Semenyo, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and fellow new signing Allan. Long-serving City winger Jack Grealish, who joined the club for $139 million in 2021, has been sent to Everton on loan for the second consecutive season to make room for the new additions.
The midfield overhaul became a necessity for Maresca after City lost key long-time midfield starters Rodri and Bernardo Silva this summer, along with backup players Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders. The move to sign Fernandez also reunites the Argentine playmaker with his former Chelsea boss, who managed the Blues for 18 months before departing in January and named Fernandez as his vice-captain during his tenure. Maresca had publicly stated just one week prior that he was eager to add more veteran leadership to his young squad, a gap the 2022 World Cup star is expected to fill.
For Fernandez, the transfer marks the second time he has claimed the title of Britain’s most expensive incoming player. He first set that mark when he moved to Chelsea from Portugal’s Benfica for £106.7 million ($131.4 million) in early 2023. The move to City comes after a turbulent few months at Stamford Bridge: in March, Fernandez admitted in a podcast interview he had dreamed of playing for Real Madrid and living in Madrid, a comment that angered Chelsea’s then-manager Liam Rosenior, who dropped the midfielder for two matches, saying the remarks crossed a line with the club’s culture. Fernandez had not started a match for Chelsea in the 2024-25 season, and was left out of the matchday squad entirely for the club’s last two fixtures as his transfer negotiations dragged on.
In a public Instagram message addressed to Chelsea fans following the move, Fernandez acknowledged the uncertainty had taken a personal toll: “I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me. I haven’t been in a good place.”
Speaking to City media after completing his transfer, Fernandez expressed excitement for the next chapter of his career: “I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies. This is a club built for success.”
City had been linked with a move for Fernandez for weeks, and was widely reported to have missed an early August deadline set by Chelsea to complete the deal, leading many analysts to write off the club’s chance of signing him. But talks reignited late in the transfer window, allowing the two clubs to strike a final agreement on deadline day.
For Ndiaye, the move to a title-contending top flight club represents a remarkable rise through the football ranks. Just three years ago, the winger was playing in England’s second tier Championship with Sheffield United, before a spell at France’s Olympique de Marseille and a move to Everton last year. He emerged as Everton’s star player during his time at Goodison Park, praised for his elite technical skill and relentless work rate, and his departure is considered a major loss for the Merseyside club. But Ndiaye said the move is a lifelong dream realized.
“I’ve worked my whole life for an opportunity like this,” Ndiaye said after the announcement. “It’s not always been easy in my career, but I always had the belief that I could play for a team challenging for the biggest prizes and now I’m here. It feels so good.”