Chelsea can still sign Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez in January. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg (h/t Football.London), the possibility of Chelsea signing Benfica and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez is looking unlikely at the moment.
There seems to be a game of poker going on in the background. The Blues are not willing to pay the player’s release clause (£106m) set by Benfica. They have other players on the list with similar profiles and cheaper price tags.
A couple of weeks ago, journalist Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports reported that Chelsea had entered into direct talks with the Portuguese side to sign Fernandez. However, they want to pay more than the release clause to make the payment terms in their favour.
Express updated us that the reason behind Benfica seeking only the release clause to be paid is that the player’s previous club, River Plate, is due 25% of the transfer fee.
A few days ago, Daily Mail reported that Chelsea have offered £87m plus three players – Hakim Ziyech, David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos to make this deal happen after Benfica rejected a £112m offer.
So, this transfer saga has gone on for some time now. It would be a shame if we miss out on such a good player. Although the price is too high at the moment, Fernandez is only 21 and world-class. So, his performances can make up for that price in years to come.
Among the other midfielders linked to us are Brighton and Hove Albion duo Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are summer targets.
It remains to be seen what the future of this deal is. It does look like Fernandez is not coming to Stamford Bridge. We need midfielders, be it now or in the summer. So, there better be a backup plan after missing out on the Argentine superstar.
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