Manchester City open talks with Chelsea over £120m Enzo Fernandez transfer

Manchester City have opened formal negotiations with Chelsea to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The two clubs are currently discussing a transfer fee, with Chelsea demanding a minimum of £120m for the 25-year-old Argentina international.

The potential move is heavily influenced by the prospect of a reunion with City manager Enzo Maresca. Maresca previously managed Fernandez at Chelsea before his controversial departure on New Year’s Day and subsequent move to the Etihad Stadium in June.

Fernandez is reportedly open to the transfer, and personal terms are not expected to be an obstacle. If the clubs agree on a valuation, the transaction is anticipated to be completed rapidly.

A £120m fee would position this as one of the most expensive acquisitions in Premier League history. It would trail only Liverpool’s £125m signing of Alexander Isak last summer.

This acquisition would mark the second time City breaks its transfer record in a single window. The club recently paid £116m to recruit Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.

This aggressive spending follows a significant restructuring of City’s midfield, with the club sanctioning four major departures. Tijjani Reijnders was sold to Al-Qadsiah for £52m, while Barcelona signed Rodri for £65m. Additionally, Newcastle agreed to a £52m deal for Nico Gonzalez, and Bernardo Silva departed earlier in the summer to join Real Madrid.

The negotiations follow a turbulent period for Fernandez at Stamford Bridge. After Chelsea’s Champions League elimination by Paris St-Germain in March, the midfielder became increasingly critical of the club.

Fernandez and his agent, former Paris St-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore, previously attempted to court interest from Real Madrid. The Spanish club ultimately issued a statement denying any effort to sign him.

Chelsea had previously set an unofficial deadline earlier this summer to secure the £120m minimum fee, but that date passed without a deal. The current talks represent a critical test of both clubs’ financial resolve as the transfer window reaches its conclusion.