Chelsea are pushing to sign Argentina World Cup hero and Benfica star Enzo Fernandez in the January transfer window. The 21-year-old midfielder has a £105million release clause but Todd Boehly is looking to structure a deal that favours the Blues.
The Blues are in the market for a new central midfielder with Jorginho and N'Golo Kante both out of contract at the end of the season. The west London outfit haven't signed a permanent signing in that position since paying Real Madrid £40million for Mateo Kovacic's services in 2018.
Chelsea had a bid rejected in the summer for Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez but are now focusing on securing a big-money deal for Fernandez. The talented Argentina international is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge after returning to action for Benfica following the World Cup.
READ MORE: Enzo Fernandez Chelsea transfer complicated by Benfica clause as new price negotiated
The 21-year-old was a standout performer at the World Cup - winning the tournament's Young Player Award after Lionel Messi and his teammates beat France to become world champions.
Here's everything we know about Fernandez's proposed move to Chelsea so far.
Portuguese outlet Record revealed that the youngster has a €120million (£105.9million) release clause having only joined from River Plate in the summer and will only leave Benfica in January should a club meet that figure. Chelsea and Liverpool were both linked with a move for Fernandez before the Blues stepped up their interest in the midfielder.
Benfica released an official statement after claims that club president Rui Costa held an interview with DAZN in which they would be willing to let midfielder Enzo Fernandez leave the club. An officials statement read: "We insist saying that our intention is to keep Enzo here until the end of the season. Benfica clarify that our president Rui Costs never spoke to DAZN about the situation of Enzo Fernandez."
As talks over a January transfer to Chelsea continued, Fernandez missed two Benfica training sessions after returning from the World Cup. Portuguese outlet Record reported that the 21-year-old flew to Buenos Aires in Argentina to spend the New Year with his family without receiving permission from Benfica.
Boehly has found negotiations with the Portuguese outfit difficult as Benfica stand firm over Fernandez's release clause, with talks complicated due to River Plate being owed 25% of any fee Benfica receive for the Argentina international. Talks have been constantly ongoing since the January transfer window officially opened, but there is yet to be a breakthrough.
The latest reports suggest that Fernandez's dream move to the Premier League has 'collapsed' with Benfica insisting that Chelsea must pay his release clause or there will be no deal. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have not scheduled a new meeting with the Benfica after talks over a deal structured with three instalment payments collapsed.
football.london understands that the Blues are willing to pay above his £105million release clause to secure him if they can agree favourable terms. Reports have suggested that Chelsea could pay a £114million fee in three separate instalments over the next three years.
Whether a deal can finally be struck between the two clubs remains to be seen, although Chelsea will be wary of another club entering the process and trying to sign Fernandez.
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