Enzo Fernandez's Move to Manchester City Among Premier League’s Biggest Transfers

Manchester City finalized the signing of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez just before the transfer window closed on September 1. The Argentine international was a key target for Enzo Maresca, who is guiding a major overhaul at City in his debut season as head coach.

The deal, valued at £125 million ($169 million), makes Fernandez the first player to be transferred for more than £100 million twice, following his 2023 move from Benfica to Chelsea.

Where Fernandez Stands in Premier League Transfer History

This £125 million fee puts Fernandez as the joint-most expensive British footballer ever, tied with Alexander Isak’s transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool in 2025. Liverpool’s recent signing of Bradley Barcola from PSG could total £123 million if all add-ons are met.

Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers became the most costly English player this summer when he joined Chelsea, briefly surpassing Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, who moved to Manchester City.

Top 10 Premier League Transfers (Including Add-Ons)

• 1. Alexander Isak: Newcastle to Liverpool - £125m (September 2025)
• = Enzo Fernandez: Chelsea to Manchester City - £125m (September 2026)
• 3. Bradley Barcola: PSG to Liverpool - £123m (August 2026)
• 4. Morgan Rogers: Aston Villa to Chelsea - £117m (July 2026)
• 5. Elliot Anderson: Nottingham Forest to Manchester City - £116m (July 2026)
• = Florian Wirtz: Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool - £116m (June 2025)
• 7. Moises Caicedo: Brighton to Chelsea - £115m (August 2023)
• 8. Enzo Fernandez: Benfica to Chelsea - £106.8m (January 2023)
• 9. Declan Rice: West Ham to Arsenal - £105m (July 2023)
• 10. Jack Grealish: Aston Villa to Manchester City - £100m (August 2022)
• = Sandro Tonali: Newcastle to Tottenham - £100m (July 2026)

The moves of Anderson and Wirtz, both valued at £116 million, set records at their times but were soon eclipsed by Isak’s arrival at Anfield. All top 10 transfers have taken place within the last four years, with Grealish’s 2022 transfer marking the oldest entry.

Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool have each completed three signings above the £100 million mark. Aston Villa and Newcastle United lead in sales among the top transfers, with Newcastle handling both Isak’s and Tonali’s deals.

Global Football Transfer Records

The highest transfer fees ever still belong to Neymar and Kylian Mbappe’s moves to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, which remain unmatched so far. Apart from those, the Premier League dominates the top 10 most expensive transfers worldwide, holding six spots.

Fernandez’s latest transfer places him as the joint-third most expensive player ever, pushing his previous Benfica-to-Chelsea move out of the top 10 list.

Top 10 Most Expensive Football Transfers Globally

• 1. Neymar: Barcelona to PSG - £198m ($252m) (August 2017)
• 2. Kylian Mbappe: AS Monaco to PSG - £163.3m ($207.5m) (August 2017)
• 3. Alexander Isak: Newcastle to Liverpool - £125m ($170m) (September 2025)
• = Enzo Fernandez: Chelsea to Manchester City - £125m ($169m) (September 2026)
• 5. Bradley Barcola: PSG to Liverpool - £123m ($166m) (August 2026)
• 6. Morgan Rogers: Aston Villa to Chelsea - £117m ($157m) (July 2026)
• 7. Elliot Anderson: Nottingham Forest to Manchester City - £116m ($153m) (July 2026)
• 8. Florian Wirtz: Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool - £116m ($135m) (June 2025)
• 9. Moises Caicedo: Brighton to Chelsea - £115m ($147m) (August 2023)
• 10. Joao Felix: Benfica to Atletico Madrid - £113m ($143.5m) (July 2019)