Chelsea are on the verge of completing a transfer for Benfica star Enzo Fernandez after the Blues moved swiftly to secure his signature following his World Cup displays for Argentina. New technical director Christopher Vivell was sent to Portugal to open official talks for Fernandez last week in the hope Chelsea could avoid paying the £105million release clause in his contract.
Although paying that clause would confirm his departure, Chelsea are willing to pay above that fee to secure him if they can agree favourable terms, as football.london understands. Benfica appeared very firm on their stance that the release clause being paid would be the only way Fernandez can leave, but it now appears Todd Boehly and Co. have been able to agree a fee paid in instalments.
As first revealed by Felix Johnston Chelsea and Benfica agreed the exact structure of the transfer on Monday. €130million (£114million) could be paid to the Portuguese club in total with €120million (£105.9m) arriving across three equal instalments, with the remaining €10million (£8.8million) available as performance-related add-ons.
READ MORE: Enzo Fernandez Benfica absence hints at Chelsea transfer amid £106m talks for Argentina star
In a further hint at a possible move to Chelsea, Fernandez was absent from Benfica training on Monday. Portuguese outlet Record claim that Fernandez was missing from two separate Benfica training sessions without permission from the club which will likely see him hit with a fine and unavailable to feature in their Friday night league game against Portimonense.
However, his proposed transfer to Chelsea could be wrapped up by that point with Gianluca Di Marzio claiming the deal is at an 'advanced stage'. The Italian journalist has revealed that the deal is moving fast and the fee is set at €127million (£112million). He also supports Johnston's claim that the agreed fee will be paid across three instalments with just the final details to be sorted.
Perhaps signalling the likelihood of a Fernandez departure, Benfica have now seemingly identified his replacement who is another Argentinian star. Racing Club de Avellaneda's Carlos Alcaraz is a target of the Portuguese club and a deal could be secured for around €16/17million (£14/15million).
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