Chelsea and Manchester City agree £125m deal for Enzo Fernandez | OneFootball

Manchester City have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez in a blockbuster deal worth £125 million, according to The Athletic.

The 25-year-old Argentina international has received official permission from Chelsea to undergo a medical and finalise the remaining paperwork before signing at the Etihad Stadium.

The move will reunite Fernandez with Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca, who previously coached him at Chelsea.

Maresca identified Fernandez as a priority midfield target despite the earlier arrivals of Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Having originally signed Fernandez from Benfica for £106.8m in January 2023, the Blues have secured a profit on their investment.

Chelsea are now expected to pursue replacements such as AS Monaco’s Lamine Camara and AS Roma’s Manu Kone, with a bid already submitted for the former.

Fernandez’s arrival will add progressive passing and end product in the final third to last season’s Premier League runners-up as they seek to reclaim their title from Arsenal.

The Argentine’s tactical familiarity with Maresca’s system should ensure a smooth transition to life at the club.

Fernandez’s future has been a topic of debate all summer after he made his desire to leave Chelsea clear.

Spanish giants Real Madrid were front-runners at one stage before pulling out of the race.

Fernandez helped Argentina reach the World Cup final in North America earlier this summer, then returned to pre-season action against Real Sociedad last month. Chelsea fans booed him.

The jeers continued during his cameo against Fulham, after which he was left out of the squads to face Luton Town and Brighton & Hove Albion.