Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea is happening. With each passing day, the once afloat rumor is now turning into a reality. CFC never backed down with their interest and are ready to go the distance to sign the 21 year old world cup winner.
Chelsea are not the only side that wants to acquire the services of Fernandez. Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United were credited with an interest in the Benfica midfielder but no club was willing to pay what Chelsea was prepared to pay.
Fernandez only came to Portugal six months ago, joining from River Plate and is now expected to swap the Benfica red for Chelsea blue after a fantastic world cup campaign with Argentina as he played a crucial role in Argentina’s coronation as world champions.
He has a contract till 2027 but his contract also has a mammoth release clause of £106 million which Chelsea are prepared to trigger in the January transfer window. In fact, the Blues are ready to pay in excess of £106 million.
Chelsea agree personal terms with Enzo Fernandez
According to reliable Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, Chelsea and the entourage of Fernandez have already reached an agreement over the personal terms of the 21 year old. Fernandez’s camp is now waiting for Chelsea and Benfica to reach an agreement over the payment structure. The deal is said to be worth around £106 million with £26.5 million going to River Plate.
Edul adds that the talks will be resolved in the upcoming hours as Chelsea now look to complete their third signing of the January transfer window. The Blues have already secured the services of David Datro Fofana and have reached an agreement with AS Monaco for Benoit Badiashile.
As per Metro, the payment structure has also been discussed with CFC prepared to pay the £112 million fee in three installments during the next three transfer windows as they want to avoid the risk of breaching the Financial Fair Play rules.
Because CFC are pushing to pay in installments, Benfica wants a fee of £112 million instead of the £106 million release clause. The last few details are being worked out as there is confidence among all the concerned parties that a move will take place.
Benfica have also started looking for a replacement for Fernandez. Chelsea’s new owner Todd Boehly is all set to shatter the Premier League transfer record by signing Fernandez for a deal worth £112 million, eclipsing Jack Grealish’s £100 million move to Manchester City.