Newcastle United have come forward as the latest Premier League club prepared to trigger the €120 million release clause of Benfica’s rising talent Enzo Fernandez.
According to Fichajes, Newcastle United have entered the massive bidding war between Premier League elites, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United, for the in-demand Benfica and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
The Magpies have already had an opening offer swiftly rejected by Benfica president Rui Costa, and have communicated their willingness to break the bank Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez’s €120 million release clause at Benfica to leave the Portuguese outfit scrambling and powerless from losing their prized asset.
The Argentina international has emerged as one of the best young midfielders in the game following his exploits in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The 21-year-old scored a rocket of a goal against perennial rivals Mexico in the group stages and was a vital cog in Lionel Scaloni’s side throughout the tournament.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni started him on the bench before quickly integrating him into the starting lineup and reaping the dividends. It’s safe to say, that decision proved transformative, as he scooped the Young Player of the Tournament award for his dazzling, swashbuckling displays, helping La Albiceleste to their first World Cup since 1986.
He also hit the ground running at Benfica, having joined the Portuguese giants from River Plate in the summer for just €10 million. He has scored three goals and provided five assists in 24 appearances across all competitions, with the Eagles yet to taste their first defeat of the 2022–23 season in any competition, including the Champions League.
While the Portuguese outfit are doing everything they can to hold onto him beyond January, there is speculation that he may move due to heavy interest from Europe’s top leagues.
Benfica will have anticipated strong transfer interest in January but hoped that his €120 million price tag would stop suitors in their tracks. However, with the January transfer window just around the corner and feverish Premier League teams ready to get their credit cards out of their wallets before the shops have even opened, that certainly is not the case.
Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United are reportedly willing to meet the exorbitant fee, and cash-rich Newcastle United have now joined the bandwagon.
Eddie Howe may be on the hunt for a new central midfielder next month after playmaker Jonjo Shelvey suffered another injury setback. The 30-year-old is expected to miss up to eight weeks of action after picking up a calf issue in training.
Shelvey’s injury could force Newcastle to dip into the transfer market. To that end, Fernandez’s signing would certainly be a statement of serious intent and a gigantic coup. He has the hallmarks of being a truly world-class star and could form a dream midfield pivot alongside Bruno Guimaraes that could easily dominate world football for at least a half-decade.
It would be a surprise, however, if Newcastle were willing to pay that much for his services, especially with FFP keeping a close watch on them after their recent splurge. Furthermore, the Magpies may not be able to beat out the stiff competition for his signature at this stage of their project, with Chelsea even willing to pay even more than the player’s release clause.