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Enzo Fernandez agrees to join Chelsea as the Blues prepare a huge transfer for the midfielder valued at €120 million from Benfica.
World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez has decided to join Chelsea after agreeing to leave Benfica. The Blues is planning a sizable offer for the midfielder.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Enzo Fernandez has decided to leave Benfica and join Chelsea. The Blues are preparing a large transfer bid for the midfielder, who has a €120 million release clause in his contract and are currently in “direct talks” with the Portuguese team.
Chelsea are now in direct talks with Benfica for Enzo Fernández. Chelsea want to offer huge fee instead of paying release clause in one solution 🚨🔵 #CFC
Benfica always asked full €120m clause.
Understand Enzo already said yes to Chelsea.#LFC or #MUFC made no bid, as of now. pic.twitter.com/Kdvz5Eargi— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 30, 2022
Despite being mentioned in connection with the World Cup’s Young Player of the Tournament, Man Utd and Liverpool have not yet made an offer.
Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has been asked about the speculation surrounding Fernandez and told reporters he will respect the Argentina international’s decision on his future.
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He said:
“Until December 31 we are sure that we have all the players and nobody can leave. Then the market opens up and when you have players with great talent, you always run the risk of losing players.
These young players sometimes have opportunities. It’s not just Enzo, it’s all the players. It’s part of the football business. If they have opportunities, they have to make decisions. I can give them advice and recommendations. But I always respected the players’ decisions, because they only have one career.”
Fernandez only joined Benfica from River Plate in the summer, but his World Cup performances have catapulted him into the spotlight and won him a legion of fans. The 21-year-old has declined to discuss his future, merely stating that his agent is in charge of everything.
Chelsea is in the lead to sign Fernandez since they have already made an offer of £106 million, more than meeting his release clause. In the meantime, Benfica president Rui Costa disputed remarks that he would permit the player to depart if his release clause is met and insisted that they want the Argentine to stay for the rest of the season.
Fernandez could return to action on Friday as Benfica take on Braga in the Portuguese top flight.