If you have even remotely followed the four thrilling weeks of the FIFA World Cup, then you must be synonymous with the name Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine had a transformational tournament.
Fernandez was an unused substitute when the Saudi Arabian dagger stabbed the Argentines. Argentina were struggling to assert control against Mexico and in came Fernandez, who not only scored a goal and added steel and solidity to a shaky midfield. From that point until the final, Fernandez was the bedrock of the midfield alongside Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister.
The midfielder played a key role in River Plate’s league triumph. The sharks of Europe had already smelled Fernandez’s talent and came rushing with a cheque. Benfica signed Fernandez for €18 million and since arriving in Portugal, Fernandez plays in a midfield pivot.
His world cup exploits have brought him even more in the public eye and elite clubs of Europe aren’t shying away from making their interest known in the 21 year old. Fernandez does have a release clause of €120 million in his Benfica contract and there are serious contenders who are even willing to trigger the clause to acquire his services.
Chelsea eyeing Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez
According to the Daily Record, Chelsea have expressed their intentions to sign the Argentine midfielder and are prepared to break the bank to sign the world cup winning midfielder. In fact, Todd Boehly is prepared to submit a record breaking offer, an offer in excess of €127 million (record fee that Atletico Madrid paid for Joao Felix) to sign Fernandez in January.
However, Benfica are reluctant in selling Fernandez in January. Roger Schmidt’s side are on course to win their first Portuguese league title in four years and have made it through to the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Fernandez is an integral part of the Benfica system and selling him in January would mean losing a pillar of the team.
The Portuguese giants are confident that they can keep one of their hottest properties until the summer transfer window and sell him in the summer for a fee above €80 million. With Chelsea prepared to pay a fee higher than the release clause, heads would surely turn in Lisbon.
Jorginho and N’Golo Kante see their current deals run out in 2023 and Chelsea are planning for the future with both players on the wrong side of thirty. Both of the players could be offered contract extensions but Graham Potter isn’t building a team with short term plans but a team with long term vision.
It remains to be seen how this plot unfolds as the January transfer window inches closer and what will be Benfica’s stance once a mammoth cheque is offered.
Will Chelsea end up signing Enzo Fernandez in January?