Chelsea set to sign Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea will complete a deadline-day move for top midfield target Enzo Fernandez in a British-record deal worth £115 million.

According to a report by 90min, Enzo Fernandez is on the verge of joining Chelsea from Benfica. The two clubs have agreed to a deal worth £115 million, making it a British-record transfer. The sum exceeds the Argentine midfielder’s release clause, with the Blues paying it in instalments.

Enzo Fernandez has become one of the most coveted midfielders in the world since arriving in Europe in the summer. Benfica snapped up the 22-year-old on a miserly sum, and the player hit the ground running. But his stock has skyrocketed since Argentina’s triumphant FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign.

The Argentine international has turned out 29 times thus far for Benfica, chipping in with four goals and seven assists. Fernandez’s progress has captured the attention of several clubs, including Chelsea. And the Blues are now on the verge of sealing the deal to sign the youngster.

Barcelona, Manchester United, and Liverpool were the first clubs to show interest in the World Cup winner. Chelsea arrived on the scene towards the end of Argentina’s World Cup campaign. But the west Londoners were the only club to pursue the promising midfielder with all their might.

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Chelsea fought tooth and nail to get closer to signing Fernandez earlier in the transfer window. But negotiations with Benfica broke down due to their reluctance to trigger the player’s release clause. However, the Blues were not ready to throw in the towel and returned to the charge last week.

The west Londoners quickly ramped up the discussions with Benfica and have now agreed to a deal. Chelsea will pay around £115 million, a sum that exceeds Fernandez’s release clause, in instalments. The breakthrough has arrived after Chelsea threw all hands on deck, with co-owner Behdad Eghbali also part of the negotiations.

The deal worth £115 million will shatter the British record for a transfer, eclipsing the £100 million Manchester City paid to sign Jack Grealish. Meanwhile, Fernandez should arrive in London later today to complete the formalities of the move to Chelsea.