City spearheaded a frantic final day of spending as they aim to arm Enzo Maresca with a squad capable of winning the Premier League for the first time in three seasons. Premier League clubs shattered their record of 3.1 billion pounds ($4.2 billion) in transfer fees in one window on deadline day as Manchester City splashed out 125 million pounds to Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez and signed Iliman Ndiaye.
Fernandez, who previously thrived under Maresca at Chelsea, has been linked with a move to the Etihad for months.
Chelsea’s bid to replace Fernandez with Monaco’s Lamine Camara collapsed when the French side reportedly pulled out of the deal. City also added Senegal forward Ndiaye from Everton in a deal worth £65 million to bolster their forward options. The Blues did agree a 40 million pounds deal to sign 18-year-old Honest Ahanor from Atalanta from 2027, with the Italy defender spending this season on loan at Crystal Palace.
Ibrahim Mbaye was another wide player linked with a move to Anfield, but he has instead joined Aston Villa for a reported £47 million. Villa also bolstered their defence by signing Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis in a 29 million pounds deal. Tottenham secured a loan move for Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk after missing out on Ndiaye and Gakpo, and a 7 million pounds swoop for his Blues team-mate Tosin Adarabioyo.
