OFFICIAL: Man City announce Enzo Fernandez signing from Chelsea in record deal

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Tom Weber | Writer

Manchester City have announced the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea in what is a record deal.

The Argentina international had to wait all summer, but his move is official. Fernandez had been pushing to leave Chelsea since the latter stages of last season and was initially gunning for a transfer to Real Madrid.

However, Los Blancos made it clear early on in the summer that they would not pursue the signing of the 25-year-old, which opened the door for his former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to chase a deal after his appointment at Man City.

Following weeks of back and forth, the two clubs have now struck a huge Deadline Day deal, with Man City agreeing to shell out an eye-watering €145 million in order to sign the midfielder, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic, thus matching Liverpool's Premier League-record outlay for Alexander Isak.

Man City have now announced the deal for the former Benfica star, making him their third major reinforcement for their engine room after Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, who have arrived for €135m and €95m, respectively.

City are built for success - Enzo Fernandez

Enzo, who claimed in a goodbye message to Chelsea fans he 'wasn't in a good place', declared: "Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are. I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies. This is a club built for success."

Meanwhile, City sporting director Hugo Viana added: “At Manchester City, we are always looking to bring in world-class players and Enzo fits the bill.

“He is a complete midfielder: technically gifted, hardworking, tenacious and a goalscorer.

“He is adept at playing different styles of football. He is comfortable playing a possession-based game, and he can play on the counter effectively, too."

The summer's longest saga concludes

With Fernandez now at Man City, the summer's most drawn-out transfer saga has officially concluded.

However, it comes with a sour taste for Chelsea, despite making a profit on the player. The deal they had lined up to sign Lamine Camara from Monaco broke down at the last moment, causing fury at Stamford Bridge.

Although Enzo didn't get his dream move to Real Madrid, he joins a club that always plays Champions League football and challenges for the biggest honours - two of his main gripes with Chelsea, who are not in Europe at all this season.

Man City, meanwhile, will be delighted to get a player of Fernandez's quality and someone who has a proven track record of excelling under new head coach Maresca. The Argentine completes the Etihad club's midfield rebuild.

With Bouaddi at the base, Anderson pinging passes and Fernandez driving forward, City should, on paper, boast one of the most impressive midfields in world football.

Despite the hefty outlay on Bouaddi and Anderson, another body in that area of the pitch was desperately needed, as Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez have all departed.

Fernandez's relationship with Chelsea soured towards the end of his spell, so this new start will certainly leave him satisfied.

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