The transfer of world champion Enzo Fernández to Chelsea, which was believed to be almost certain, is apparently in danger of failing. As first the South American journalist Cesar Luis Merlo and later too Fabrizio Romano reported, Benfica Lisbon, where the 21-year-old midfielder is under contract until 2027, has broken off talks after a meeting on Wednesday. A further meeting is not planned for the time being.
Goals & highlights from Benfica star Enzo Fernandez
Accordingly, the Portuguese top club insisted on paying the €120 million release clause in Fernández’s contract. According to reports, Chelsea did not want this so as not to risk penalties from UEFA Financial Fair Play, because the sum would then be due in one installment. It had been reported that the Blues were even willing to pay up to €127m, more than the clause, if Benfica would accept multiple installments. However, Romano wrote that Chelsea’s official offer never exceeded €85m.
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Benfica’s Enzo Fernández has already agreed on a transfer with Chelsea
Fernández is said to have previously agreed on a change with Chelsea and is said to have only been waiting for Benfica’s approval. However, the “Adlers” had actually always made it clear that they wanted to keep the high-flyer until the summer in order to underpin their own title ambitions – the Portuguese, who were undefeated in all competitions this season, are still in the running in the Champions League (1/8- final vs. Brugge). The Times recently reported that Benfica had offered Fernández a new contract that would bring him a significantly higher salary in exchange for the club’s release clause being raised to €200m.
Portugal’s record champions secured Fernández’s signature in the summer of 2022 for €12m from training club River Plate – the price included a 25 per cent sales share in the next transfer fee. The initially reported 127 million euros would have made the Argentinian the most expensive midfielder in football history – also the most expensive player from the world champion country. At 85 million, he would land third and second respectively in those stats. Since his transfer, the midfield all-rounder has played 34 games for Benfica and Argentina, losing only to Saudi Arabia and SC Braga on December 30 and has become the most sought-after player alongside BVB professional Jude Bellingham (19).
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