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Manchester City have matched the British transfer record by signing Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea in a deal worth £125m.

The Argentina midfielder has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, with City’s spending this summer rising to about £435m, including more than £325m spent on midfielders alone.

Chelsea were prepared to sanction Fernandez’s departure, despite the fact that their move for Lamine Camara from Monaco collapsed after the Ligue 1 side withdrew from the proposed £47m transfer. Fernandez had cost Chelsea £107m in 2023.

Fernandez, who now shares the distinction with Alexander Isak as the most expensive signing ever made by a Premier League club, said: “Manchester City are the most successful club in England in recent times. 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.

“If you look across the squad, City have quality in every area. I want to learn from my new team-mates and become a better player.

“I pride myself on continually improving my game. Anyone who has worked with me will know how hard I train every single day and how much I put into matches. I give absolutely everything and I can promise Manchester City that will continue now I’m here.”

Fernandez previously played under new City manager Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, where the pair won the Club World Cup together, and they have now been reunited.

He joins £116m recruit Elliot Anderson and £85m signing Ayyoub Bouaddi in a revamped midfield following the exits of Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders.

Enzo Maresca and Enzo Fernandez will link up again at Manchester City.

City director of football Hugo Viana said: “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.

“To have played in two World Cup finals and won major trophies in multiple countries at just 25 says everything you need to know about his mentality, professionalism and technical quality. We are delighted to bring him here and feel very strongly he will improve our team.”

City had already completed the £60m signing of Iliman Ndiaye from Everton earlier on deadline day, having pursued Fernandez throughout the summer.

Chelsea had attempted to impose a 5pm deadline on 14 August for clubs to submit bids for Fernandez as they sought clarity over his future, but City waited until the final day of the transfer window before making their move.

The Argentinian, whose most recent start ended with a sending-off in the World Cup final, had missed Chelsea’s last two matches as he pushed for a transfer after being booed by both sets of supporters in what may prove to have been his final appearance for the club, the 3-2 victory over Fulham.

Fernandez still posted a farewell message to Chelsea on Instagram, writing: “These have not been easy days for me. Chelsea will always have a place in my thoughts and my heart.”

Chelsea raised around £400m through player sales during the summer transfer window. Those to leave included Marc Cucurella, Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Guiu, while the club also received compensation from City for Maresca.