Enzo Fernandez has issued a heartfelt statement to Chelsea fans as he completes his record-equalling move to Manchester City.
City will pay the Blues £125million for Fernandez’s services, which equals a record Premier League transfer.
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Earlier in the day a £120m deal was rejected but the two clubs are settled on £125m, which equals the Premier League record fee Liverpool spent to sign Alexander Isak last summer.
New City boss Maresca has been the driving force behind City’s interest in Fernandez.
Chelsea previously set a deadline of 5pm on Friday, August 14 for interested clubs to meet their £120million asking price. However, the cut-off point passed without City making an offer.
Despite Chelsea’s stance, the deal accelerated during the final hours of the transfer window and was announced shortly after the 11pm deadline.
Fernandez Chelsea departure statement
While the move is yet to be announced by either club, Fernandez posted his goodbye to Chelsea fans in an emotional statement.
Fernandez posted on Instagram: “I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me. Writing this is not easy either. The truth is, I haven’t been in a good place.
“Three years ago, Cobham and Stamford Bridge became home for me and my family. I grew attached to the people, to the shirt, and to the badge of this incredible club.
“Believe me when I say that, from the moment I arrived, I became obsessed with winning and with bringing this club every trophy that its history deserves.
“We suffered, we cried, I got angry many times, but we also celebrated titles and unforgettable victories. Together, through the good times and the difficult ones.
“I live football the same way I live my life: with passion and with all my heart. That is why I want you to know that I understand you. I truly understand you, from the bottom of my heart.
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“But life is about making decisions, and right now I find myself having to make one of those difficult decisions. I’ve said it before, but I want to say it again: I have grown incredibly fond of this club.
“Chelsea will always have a place in my thoughts and, above all, in my heart.
“But I also understand how football works. I know how passionate you are, because I am the same. And if I were in your position, I would probably be thinking the same way.
“I want to thank every single one of you: the staff, the coaching team, the medical team, the physios, and everyone who works at Cobham and throughout this great institution.
“To all my teammates over these years, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing so many moments with me. I was truly happy here, and I wish you nothing but the very best for the future.
“Thank you for all the love and support you have given me and my family throughout these years. I will never forget it.
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“This group will give you many more reasons to be happy, and I will be happy for you too. Never doubt that.
“You will always be in my heart, Blues. I will always wish you, always, nothing but the very best.
“Always Blue. Thank you, Chelsea.”
Deadline day frustration
Chelsea believed they had found a replacement for Fernandez but were left stunned in the dying moments of deadline day when a move for Lamine Camara fell through.
The Blues appeared set to tie up a £47m deal for the Monaco midfielder after the Ligue 1 club had earlier seen Folarin Balogun’s move to Everton fall through.
But in a crazy turn of events, Everton revived their interest in the USA striker only to see the Principality club seemingly pull the plug on the Camara deal.
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The Senegal international had agreed a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge with the option of a further 12 months.
He was due to fly to London for his medical on Wednesday.
Monaco’s stance in pulling out of the deal has left Chelsea chiefs furious.
The club view the situation as ‘deeply unprofessional’ and ‘not the way to conduct business’.
Camara’s failure to join Chelsea opens up potential for Liverpool to sign him next summer with the Reds understood to have contacted the player’s camp.
To add insult to injury, talkSPORT has learnt that Chelsea had the chance to block Fernandez’s move to City but opted to stick to their word, unlike Monaco.
