Chelsea may have blown their competition out of the water before the January transfer window has even started.
Chelsea have reportedly put in a bid that exceeds Enzo Fernandez’s release clause as co-owner Todd Boehly looks to pip Manchester United and Liverpool to the midfielder’s signature. Benfica hoped that his £105million price tag would warn off suitors but that may prove not to be the case with the January transfer window just around the corner.
Fernandez is now a household name after clinching the award for Best Young Player at the 2022 World Cup. Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni started the tournament with him on the bench before promptly phasing him into the side and reaping the rewards.
The 21-year-old played all 120 minutes of an epic final against France, which Argentina won on penalties. Benfica will have expected serious transfer interest in January but his mammoth release clause was anticipated to stop suitors in their tracks.
That may not be the case with Chelsea, however, as Portuguese newspaper Record claim that they have submitted a huge £115m offer to power ahead in the race.
Man Utd and Liverpool are also thought to be in the running with previous reports indicating that the Red Devils were advancing well after a recent round of talks. Murmurs of a mystery bid began to surface earlier this week but the team remained anonymous until it emerged that Chelsea had made their move.
Benfica may be left helpless with Fernandez’s release clause triggered, despite the need to push for a first Portuguese league title since 2018/19 and pass on 25 per cent of the proceeds to River Plate. The midfield maestro only left the Argentine giants in the summer and he has rapidly risen to stardom in just 13 league games for his new side.
Boehly was behind a mammoth spend in the summer and he could sanction another in January with Graham Potter set to be backed at Stamford Bridge. If the deal for Fernandez goes through, it would eclipse the current Premier League record £100m that Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish in 2021.
Fernandez could be the centrepiece of a major midfield reshuffle at Chelsea with veterans Jorginho and N’Golo Kante both out of contract at the end of the season. The 21-year-old has scored once and assisted three times during his brief stint in Portugal, which could come to an end after just six months.
“Enzo Fernandez, I like this guy,” ex-England defender Rio Ferdinand told the BBC during the World Cup. “21 years old – he’s done nothing but enhance his reputation. There will be clubs sniffing around him. Top, top clubs.
“He was so composed, for a kid so young at this level. Tactically very good as well.” If negotiations advance, Fernandez could miss Benfica’s clash with Braga on Friday as his representatives continue to survey options behind the scenes.
SOURCE: express.co.uk
