Benfica manager Roger Schmidt is braced for Enzo Fernandez's departure amid a three-way Premier League battle for his signature.
Manchester United and Liverpool are understood to be battling one another to sign the 21-year-old midfielder, yet it emerged on Wednesday that Chelsea now lead the race for his sought-after signature. Following Fernandez's high-profile exploits for Argentina at the World Cup, which earned him a winner's medal and the young player of the tournament award, the Blues are reportedly ready to trigger his eye-watering release clause of €120million (£106m).
Like the Benfica hierarchy, boss Schmidt is desperate keep hold of their star midfielder, who could play his final match for the Portuguese champions on Friday when they travel to face Braga. "Until December 31st we are sure that we have all the players and nobody can leave," the German declared when asked about Fernandez during his pre-match conference on Thursday.
"For now, we're on the eve of the game and I'm calm. Then the market opens up and when you have players with great talent, you always run the risk of losing players. For now, we're focused on tomorrow's game."
Schmidt was repeatedly probed on the former River Plate prodigy's future, hours before Benfica released a statement denying claims president Rui Costa had revealed in an interview that Fernandez wanted to leave in January and the club were prepared to grant his wish. "We insist saying that our intention is to keep Enzo here until the end of the season," a spokesperson added.
It's also been claimed that Schmidt has personally pleaded with Fernandez to snub a move away, as he wants the World Cup winner to help continue Benfica's impressive season both domestically and in the Champions League. Asked specifically about his alleged chat with Fernandez, the ex- Bayer Leverkusen boss replied: "I can't reveal those conversations. When I talk to the players, these are things I keep to myself. What I can say is what I've already said.
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"We all know what football is like. These young people have opportunities, and it's not just about Enzo. If they have opportunities, they have to make decisions, and I respect them. I can advise them, but they only have one career. If I can convince them or influence them in a certain way, I try to do it, but I accept their decisions."
Fernandez himself has said little about a transfer but did provide a spiky response when asked about the rampant speculation earlier this week. "I don't know about my future or proposals, that's what my representative is taking care of," the midfield dynamo was reported as saying by Argentine media. "I don't want to get into the subject. I am focused on Benfica, we have a game on Friday."
