Manchester City have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández for a fee exceeding £125 million, with Fabrizio Romano reporting on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, that the 25-year-old is set to undergo a medical after a dramatic transfer-deadline negotiation.
The reported Enzo Fernández Man City agreement brings an end to weeks of uncertainty surrounding the midfielder, with Chelsea eventually approving the sale after lengthy discussions over the valuation and the club’s ability to replace the Argentina international.
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Romano confirmed the breakthrough on Tuesday, writing: “Deal in place for fee over £125m after a long negotiation as Chelsea approved the sale.”
The transfer specialist added that Fernández “only wanted Manchester City” and would now proceed to his medical with the Premier League champions.
The development marks a remarkable turnaround in a transfer saga that had appeared uncertain only hours earlier.
Manchester City had opened direct negotiations with Chelsea on deadline day, according to Sky Sports, after earlier approaches failed to produce an agreement.
Chelsea had previously valued Fernández at around £120 million and had made clear that any departure would depend on receiving the right financial package while also strengthening the squad before the transfer window closed.
The late agreement reportedly pushed the fee beyond that threshold, with multiple reports putting the final package above £125 million.
For Manchester City, the move represents a major statement of intent as manager Enzo Maresca looks to reshape his midfield.
Fernández already knows Maresca from their time together at Chelsea, giving the transfer an additional layer of familiarity.
Maresca’s interest is significant because Fernández was one of Chelsea’s most important midfielders during the previous campaign.
The Argentine’s technical quality, passing range and ability to operate in different midfield roles make him an attractive addition to a City side undergoing considerable change.
Manchester City have already been active in rebuilding the midfield. Elliot Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest in a deal reported at £116 million, while Tijjani Reijnders, Rodri and Nico González have also left the club during the wider reshaping of the squad.
The pursuit of Fernández therefore reflects a broader strategy rather than an isolated deadline-day gamble.
City have generated significant funds through player sales and have used those resources to strengthen several areas of the squad.
The move is also a significant moment in Fernández’s Chelsea career.
Chelsea signed the midfielder from Benfica for £107 million in January 2023 after his impressive World Cup campaign with Argentina.
Fernández subsequently became an influential figure at Stamford Bridge and was regularly trusted with major responsibilities, including captaincy.
His departure, therefore, leaves Chelsea with an important midfield vacancy to fill.
The player’s situation had become increasingly complicated during the summer.
Manchester City maintained their interest even after Chelsea’s initial deadline for an offer passed, while Fernández was reportedly open to joining City.
Romano previously said personal terms were not expected to be a major obstacle and that the player had given the move the green light.
There were also signs of growing uncertainty around Fernández at Chelsea. The midfielder was left out of some recent matches as the transfer situation developed, with manager Xabi Alonso acknowledging that Chelsea were preparing for different possibilities before deadline day.
Chelsea’s response has been equally important. The club explored several midfield replacements, including Monaco’s Lamine Camara and Roma’s Manu Koné, as it sought to avoid losing Fernández without adding sufficient cover.
That balancing act helped make the negotiations particularly tense. Chelsea wanted substantial compensation, while City needed to convince the Blues that the financial package was strong enough to justify releasing a key player so late in the window.
The eventual agreement could also have implications for the Premier League transfer record.
Fernández’s reported fee of more than £125 million would place the move among the most expensive transfers in English football, although the precise structure of the package will determine its final ranking.
For Fernández, the move offers a fresh chapter under a coach he already knows and at a club seeking to restore its dominance after a period of significant squad turnover.
For Chelsea, the challenge now is immediate. The club must replace the quality and experience of a World Cup-winning midfielder while ensuring the late reshaping of the squad does not weaken Xabi Alonso’s options.
The transfer remains subject to Fernández completing his medical and the necessary formalities.
Until those steps are concluded, the agreement should be regarded as a deal reached between the clubs rather than a fully completed transfer.
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Nevertheless, the breakthrough represents one of the most dramatic moments of the 2026 summer window, with Manchester City securing a marquee signing and Chelsea accepting a spectacular late offer for one of their leading midfielders.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
