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LONDON. — Chelsea have made an offer of £115m to sign Benfica and Argentina’s 21-year-old midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
The Blues have tabled a bid worth in excess of Fernandez’s £105million release clause, according to reports. The Benfica starlet impressed at the World Cup in Qatar, helping Argentina win the competition for a third time. Fernandez’s performances earned him the tournament’s Best Young Player award – as well as a string of potential new suitors.
Chelsea are reportedly attempting to jostle their way to the front of the queue, and are claimed to have made a huge offer.
According to Portuguese outlet CM, Blues representatives have travelled to the Iberian country to try and thrash out a £105m deal.
They add that, while Chelsea are willing to stump up the cash, they will face plenty of competition to secure Fernandez’s signature. Newcastle, Manchester United and Liverpool have all been linked with the midfielder.
Fernandez’s chief representative is renowned super-agent Jorge Mendes.
The 56-year-old is claimed to have shopped his client’s availability around Europe’s top clubs. But Fernandez himself may opt to STAY at Benfica until the end of the season.
He is contracted to the Lisbon club until 2027. Portuguese paper Record sensationally claim that Fernandez feels that he can win the Champions League with Benfica this season.
They have been drawn to play Belgian side Club Brugge in the round of 16.
Fernandez has made 24 club appearances in all competitions this term, scoring three goals and laying on five assists.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most sought-after young midfielders in the game amid a thrilling first season in Europe with Benfica having also played a key role in his country’s World Cup success in Qatar.
Manchester United and Liverpool are both eager to sign Fernandez having held talks with Benfica over a January move.
The player has a €120m (£106m) release clause in his deal with Benfica and reports in Portugal claimed last week that the club have already turned down a €100m (£88.4m) offer, adamant he will only leave if his release clause is met. With United and Liverpool already fighting it out for his signature, the Daily Record now report Chelsea are ready to enter the fray with a huge offer for the former River Plate starlet.
The report claims Todd Boehly has proposed a deal that would see Chelsea pay more than the €127million Atletico Madrid paid Benfica for Joao Felix in 2019 — the club’s current record sale. — Metro.
Online Reporter