Chelsea have stepped up their efforts to sign Enzo Fernandez in January, with the Blues ready to accelerate talks to close the deal.
According to A Bola, as relayed by Sport Witness, Chelsea are set to accelerate talks with Benfica to find an agreement to sign top target Enzo Fernandez. The Blues are willing to pay over the odds for the €120 million-rated midfielder, but the situation remains complex.
Enzo Fernandez could be the biggest name to move clubs during the January tranfer window as talks of a move to Chelsea continue to take the spotlight. The €120 million-rated midfielder recently won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, accelerating interest in the Benfica star.
Benfica value the midfielder as an essential part of their team and want him to continue for the remainder of the campaign. Hence they have been adamant about not entertaining offers this winter and may be looking for a summer sale.
Fernandez’s contract has a €120 million release clause, which would need triggering if suitors want the Argentine international. Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Chelsea have been interested, although the Reds have since pulled out of the race.
Benfica are unwilling to negotiate a deal with any club, with only Chelsea reportedly tabling a meaningful offer. The Portuguese giants had informed the Blues they needed to trigger the release clause to secure Fernandez.
Todd Boehly does not want to spend €120 million in one go and wants to find a solution to structure payments with Benfica. Hence, Chelsea have reportedly offered more money than Fernandez’s release clause, suggesting their proposal could be worth around €130 million.
Benfica could be tempted to listen to what Chelsea have on the table. However, getting more money than the release clause is strange for any club, and the Portuguese side would remain open to understanding how they could structure the deal.
Benfica will also have to pay a good percentage of any future sale of the €120 million-rated midfielder. Hence, any more money coming from a suitor would continue to entice the Portuguese side, even in January when they are not particularly interested in selling the midfielder.
Chelsea will likely keep pushing before they can eventually find an agreement with Benfica for the coveted midfielder. The Blues also have other targets. And if they are to achieve their preferred targets, Boehly could take the club’s spending to around the €500 million mark in only six months since taking over.
