Manchester City have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign Enzo Fernandez for £125 million, with the midfielder set to become one of the most expensive players in Premier League history.
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The Argentina international will undergo a medical before completing his move to the Etihad Stadium, while personal terms are not expected to present a problem.
The deal matches the British transfer record Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak last summer and comes two years after Chelsea signed Fernandez from Benfica for £107m.
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Fernandez set for Maresca reunion
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Fernandez is set to reunite with Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca, who worked with the midfielder during his time in charge of Chelsea.
Maresca was keen to bring the 25-year-old to City after losing several midfielders during the summer transfer window.
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Fernandez was absent from Chelsea’s squad for their 4-3 Premier League victory over Brighton on Sunday and their Carabao Cup win against Luton Town.
Reports from Argentina had claimed the midfielder requested to be left out as negotiations over his future continued.
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His departure now brings an end to a two-and-a-half-year spell at Stamford Bridge during which he established himself as a key player for club and country.
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City continue major rebuild
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Fernandez becomes Manchester City’s second club-record signing of the summer after the £116m arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
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He is also the fourth player to command a fee of at least £100m in the Premier League this summer, following Morgan Rogers’ £117m move to Chelsea, Bradley Barcola’s £123m transfer to Liverpool and Anderson’s switch to City.
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City have undergone significant midfield changes, with Tijjani Reijnders, Rodri, Nico Gonzalez and Bernardo Silva all leaving the club.
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The champions have also sold Savio to Tottenham for £75m and are due to receive a further £60m when Omar Marmoush’s move to the London club becomes permanent next summer.
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City have responded by investing heavily in young talent, signing Ayoub Bouaddi from Lille for £86m, Brazilian winger Allan Elias for £34m, as well as Jeremy Monga and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
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Fernandez’s arrival will now provide Maresca with another established option as City prepare for a demanding domestic and European campaign.
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