Enzo Fernandez eyes River Plate return despite £125m City move

Enzo Fernandez has signalled his intention of returning to River Plate before the end of his playing career. He has reached ten appearances for Manchester City since his £125 million move from rivals Chelsea in the summer. It’s something I really want.”

He insisted he won’t back down, saying, “It’s OK. I’ll take care of the record. If I say it, it’s because I feel it. I need to return to River to win things and enjoy the River world for more years than I’ve been here.”

While eyeing a return, the 2022 World Cup winner shut down the idea of it happening soon, stressing, “I’m here, I have a long contract in Manchester, there’s a long way to go before that.”

At River Plate, Fernandez recorded 12 goals and ten assists in 53 appearances from 2020 to 2022, winning the Argentine top‑flight title and cup.

A loan to Defensa y Justicia saw him lift the Copa Sudamericana and the Recopa Sudamericana.

Benfica signed him in June 2022 and he was part of their Portuguese league title success the following season.

He left halfway through for Chelsea in a £106.8m move after his excellent performance for Argentina at the World Cup, where he won the Young Player Award.

Fernandez totalled 170 appearances for the Blues with 31 goals and 30 assists, collecting winners’ medals in the Club World Cup and the Conference League.

Earlier in 2026 he fuelled rumours of a move to Real Madrid, only for the Spanish club to dismiss any plans.

City then became interested and completed a signing on the last day of the summer window.

He has reunited with Enzo Maresca, who was his head coach at Chelsea, and scored his first City goal in the 5‑3 Premier League win over Sunderland.