Man City move past US$600m with Enzo, Ndiaye signings

AP:

Manchester City completed its US$440-million midfield rebuild yesterday by signing Argentina international Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea in a deal worth 125 million pounds (US$169 million), a fee that matches the British transfer record.

Fernandez, who was sent off against Spain in the World Cup final in July, becomes the third central midfielder to join City for more than US$100 million during the summer transfer window. Eighteen-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi arrived from Lille in a US$117-million deal, while England international Elliot Anderson joined for US$155 million.

“I could not be happier to be here,” Fernandez said. “And I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies. This is a club built for success.”

City also signed Senegal winger Iliman Ndiaye from Everton yesterday for an initial 60 million pounds (US$81 million), providing competition for Antoine Semenyo, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and fellow new signing Allan among the wide attackers in recently hired manager Enzo Maresca’s squad.

Jack Grealish, who joined City for US$139 million in 2021, was another option out wide, but he has been loaned to Everton for a second straight season.

City’s total spending on players this summer has surpassed US$600 million, an unprecedented outlay by a single club in one transfer window. The club has recouped nearly US$400 million in player sales, however.

Fernandez links up again with Maresca

City needed to reshape its midfield under Maresca following the departures of mainstays Rodri and Bernardo Silva, as well as reserve players Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders.

It is the second time Fernandez, a member of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning team, has become British football’s most expensive player. He briefly held that distinction when he joined Chelsea from Benfica for 106.7 million pounds (US$131.4 million) in early 2023.

Fernandez will reunite with Maresca, who managed Chelsea for 18 months before leaving in January and made the Argentine his vice-captain. Maresca said last week that he wanted to add more leadership to the squad.

City had been linked with Fernandez for weeks and appeared to have missed its chance to sign him after reportedly failing to meet a transfer deadline set by Chelsea in early August.

The clubs eventually began negotiations late in the transfer window, with the deal completed on deadline day.

In March, Fernandez told a podcast that he would like to live in Madrid, amid speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid. The comments led then-Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior to leave Fernandez out for two matches, saying “a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build.”

Fernandez had not started a game for Chelsea this season and was not included in the squad for the team’s previous two matches.

“I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me,” Fernandez said in a post on Instagram directed at Chelsea fans.

“I haven’t been in a good place.”

Ndiaye was Everton’s star player

Ndiaye represents a significant loss for Everton. He was widely regarded as the club’s standout player because of his technical ability and work ethic.

The move also marks a major step up for Ndiaye, who was playing in England’s second tier with Sheffield United only three years ago. He later moved to Marseille in France before joining Everton.

“I’ve worked my whole life for an opportunity like this,” Ndiaye said.

“It’s not always been easy in my career, but I always had the belief that I could play for a team challenging for the biggest prizes and now I’m here. It feels so good.”