In the final hours of the transfer window, a record transfer in England was tied.

Manchester City has matched the British transfer record with the signing of Argentina international Julián Fernández, according to reports from multiple sources. The deal was finalized in the final hours of the transfer window, which closed at midnight Central European Time. Fernández, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 for a then-record fee of £106.8 million, will move to Manchester City for an equal amount. This would make him the second player in this transfer window to break the club’s own record, following the arrival of England international Elliott Anderson in July for £116 million. The potential transfer comes after Fernández spent the last season with Chelsea, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists across all competitions. He finished as the second-top scorer for the London club behind João Cancelo. His performances were crucial during the 2023 FIFA World Cup, where he played a key role in helping Argentina reach the final. However, he was sent off twice in the final against France, leading to his exclusion from the matchday squad. Fernández's move to Manchester City would mark a historic moment in football history, making him the first player to be sold for more than £100 million twice in his career. His previous sale to Chelsea set a new benchmark, and this latest transfer would tie that record. The deal is expected to take place shortly before the end of the transfer window, with both clubs confirming talks had been ongoing for several weeks. In addition to Fernández, Manchester City have made several other high-profile signings during the window. They have brought in Moroccan winger Ayyoub Bouaddi for £86 million and Brazilian forward Allan Elias for around €40 million. These acquisitions reflect the club’s continued investment in strengthening its squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League season. Meanwhile, the club has also generated substantial revenue through sales. Players such as Sergio Agüero, Rodri, Nicolás González, Tiago Reijnders, James Trafford, and Nathan Aké have left the club, contributing approximately £280 million to the club’s finances. This financial activity highlights the balance between spending and earning during the transfer window. On the Italian front, former AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso has taken charge of Lazio, facing mixed results early in his tenure. After a poor performance in the UEFA Europa Conference League against Mantua, Lazio started their Serie A campaign strongly with two consecutive 1-0 wins over Genoa and Bologna. Despite these successes, the atmosphere within the club remains tense due to financial difficulties and fan protests over ticket prices. Gattuso addressed media inquiries regarding the club’s transfer activities, expressing frustration over the lack of control over player movements. He emphasized that he is focused solely on preparing for matches rather than engaging in discussions about transfers. When asked about potential reinforcements, particularly in the midfield, Gattuso stated that without sufficient funds, there is little they can do. He reiterated that he is not in a position to dictate player transfers and that the responsibility lies elsewhere. Despite the challenges, Gattuso praised his players for their efforts and acknowledged the changes in playing style under his guidance. He noted that the team has adopted a different approach compared to previous seasons, emphasizing a complete overhaul of training methods and tactics. While the transition has taken time, he expressed confidence in the progress made so far.