Enzo Fernández, the Only Player to Have Cost Over 100 Million Twice

Neymar remains the player for whom the most money has ever been paid in a transfer between clubs: PSG gave Barcelona 222 million euros. But only one footballer has broken the 100 million barrier in two separate deals. That man is Enzo Fernández, the Argentine midfielder who left Benfica for Chelsea in January 2023 for 121 million and moved to Manchester City last summer for just over 145.

• Enzo Fernández is the only player to have cost more than 100 million in two different transfers.
• Chelsea paid Benfica 121 million in January 2023 and Manchester City spent over 145 million last summer.
• Before his move to Portugal, Benfica had paid River Plate 44.25 million.
• He has not managed to revive Chelsea in England and his only European trophy is the Club World Cup.
• This week he was involved in an extraordinary incident in City-PSG, pushing the referee from behind without either the official or VAR punishing him.

Why Enzo Fernández's Transfer Fees Are Unprecedented

Enzo Fernández's market history is unique. He arrived at Benfica from River Plate for 44.25 million euros, a significant figure for Portuguese football. Only a few months later, in the winter window of 2023, Chelsea made him one of the most expensive signings in history by paying 121 million for him.

After two and a half seasons in London, Manchester City placed their bet with an even bigger outlay: just over 145 million euros. No other footballer has ever been involved in two deals above 100 million on his own. Not even stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Mbappé, Coutinho or Joao Félix have reached that figure in two different sales.

The 2022 Qatar World Cup Drove Up His Value

Enzo Fernández's definitive breakthrough came at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. He became a world champion with Argentina, turned into a loyal lieutenant for Leo Messi in midfield and put his name on the agenda of Europe's biggest clubs.

His performances in that tournament, at just 21 years old, convinced Chelsea to break the market in the middle of January. The combination of youth, physicality and a leading role in a world champion side sent his price to levels no club had ever paid before for a player of his age.

What Enzo Fernández Has Shown in England

At Chelsea, Enzo Fernández produced flashes of his quality but did not become the leader many expected. He organises the team, plays with fight, never backs down from a challenge and has a ferocious shot. In 170 club appearances he has registered 31 goals and 30 assists, solid numbers for a midfielder of his profile.

His time in London, however, ended with a single trophy, the Club World Cup, and the feeling that his temperament gets the better of him. Too often he goes over the top. In the Club World Cup final he was sent off for a brutal challenge on Cubarsí, an action that confirmed his reputation as a player with an excessive edge.

The Bizarre City-PSG Incident That Could Have Earned Him a Card

This week Enzo Fernández produced one of the most talked-about images of the season in Manchester City-PSG. In his attempt to reach a loose ball, he shoved the referee from behind and knocked him to the ground without any hesitation. The intent with which he charged into the official deserved at least a yellow card.

The referee saw nothing because the Argentine hit him from behind. VAR, for its part, decided to look the other way. The incident went unpunished and reignited the debate about the temperament of a player who, despite his talent, has already collected several such episodes during his career.

Does His Output Justify Such a Massive Investment?

The question surrounding Enzo Fernández is whether his football is worth the more than 260 million euros that has been paid for him across the two deals. In the Premier League he has not managed to revive Chelsea, a project that built around him as a central piece and never quite took off during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester City hope his arrival brings muscle and order to midfield. His numbers as a central midfielder are good, his shooting is fearsome and his commitment is beyond doubt. What he needs to control are the outbursts that have cost him red cards and controversial actions like the push on the referee.