Benfica have informed Chelsea that they are not contemplating selling Enzo Fernandez for a discounted price, reveals Fabrizio Romano. The London side are desperate to sign the Argentina midfielder, who played a key role in helping his country win the Qatar World Cup last year.
Chelsea Must Pay Benfica Enzo Fernandez Release Clause for His Signing
Enzo Fernández won’t be called up for tonight’s game vs Portimonense, it’s confirmed. Enzo won’t even make the bench after last complicated days. 🚨🔴 #Benfica
Benfica message to Chelsea remains clear, as things stand: €120m or no way to sell Enzo in January. #CFC pic.twitter.com/pfTLzLFNOH
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 6, 2023
Chelsea Sent Clear Message by Benfica Over Fernandez Clause
The Blues looked to be in pole position to sign the 21-year-old imminently and the player himself also pushed for it, telling the Benfica manager Roger Schmidt about his intentions to leave for the Premier League. However, talks appear to have broken down after Chelsea failed to pay Enzo Fernandez’s release clause of around £105 million.
The London side are reportedly only willing to pay around £75 million for the Argentine star, which Benfica will absolutely not entertain. Romano adds that Chelsea has even been told by the Portuguese club that the only way they will let go of Fernandez this month is if the Premier League side pays the entire release clause amount.
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Benfica are even willing to keep a hold of the 21-year-old until the end of the season, as they are well aware that many more clubs will be in the race to sign him in the summer transfer window because that is when the majority of clubs spend major money on transfers.
Fernandez Set to Face Punishment for Pushing Chelsea Move
The Portuguese side are going to give the Argentine midfielder a punishment for trying to push for a move to Stamford Bridge, as he is not going to be in their matchday squad for the upcoming Primeira Liga clash against Portimonense on Friday. Schmidt probably believes it’s best to keep the 21-year-old, who was called a ‘spectacular player’ by Lionel Messi at the World Cup, out of the spotlight after a few complicated days involving his transfer situation.
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Chelsea will need to break their transfer record to sign Enzo Fernandez this January, which is something they likely are hesitant to do after spending a fortune on signings last summer. Fernandez, who won the World Cup Young Player of the Tournament award, has made 25 appearances for Benfica this season – scoring two goals and providing five assists.
