Chelsea can still sign Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez in January. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)
According to journalist Cesar Luis Merlo (h/t Football.London), Chelsea are hoping to complete the transfer of Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez this week with a fee close to around €120m.
Fernandez, who has a £105m release clause in his contract with Benfica, joined the Portuguese club in the preceding summer window itself.
The report says that Chelsea are willing to pay around £120m to get the Argentina star this month. The structure of the deal remains unclear.
Fernandez was one of the stars for the South American side that lifted the World Cup in Qatar last month. He was named the best young player of the tournament, further sealing his spot as one of the best young midfielders in the world.
A few days ago, Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports revealed that the Blues are ready to pay more than the release clause and want the payment terms in their favour. On Sunday (January 1), Express reported that Benfica want the full release clause to be paid in one go as the player’s former club River Plate is due 25% of the fee.
That’s a big fee for a player that is still fairly young. Then again, he has shown that he has what it takes to go shoulder-to-shoulder with the most experienced players in the game.
Looking at the details, it is clear that completing the deal to sign Fernandez won’t be an easy task for Chelsea. The good thing is that the player is eager to come to England and play for the Blues.
The 21-year-old has got everything to his game that makes him a perfect midfielder for any team in the world. He can pass relentlessly with accuracy, dictate the tempo of games, intercept opposition attacks and not shirk away from physical battles in midfield.
Whatever it takes to get him, Chelsea should do all of that. If we do that, this might be a game-changer for us that could help in making the necessary push for a top-four finish and a deep run in the Champions League.
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