Chelsea are not going to go all in for the signing of Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez in the January transfer window, confirms Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenburg. The Blues have already confirmed the acquisition of four signings in the winter window, with the latest one being Portuguese forward Joao Felix.
Chelsea Won’t Go All in for Enzo Fernandez Signing in January
News #Enzo: Understand the poker is ongoing in the background but at this stage a transfer is unlikely. Chelsea still not willing to pay the €120m release clause. They have other players on their list, similar profile but cheaper. #CFC won’t go all in for now. @SkySportDE 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/ACUtuQXc63
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 12, 2023
Chelsea Have Backup Plans in Place if Fernandez Signing Fails to Materialise
The Premier League heavyweights appeared to be really close to a move to the Argentine midfielder earlier this month as it was reported that they even held direct talks with Benfica over a possible transfer. However, they didn’t appear to be wanting to pay the entire release clause of around £105 million and it was even claimed that the Blues only wanted to pay as much as £75 million for him.
Read More: Chelsea Agree Joao Felix Signing From Atletico Madrid
Plettenburg adds that there is “poker ongoing in the background” over Chelsea’s pursuit for Fernandez, but at this moment, a January transfer is unlikely to materialise. That is because the London side are not ready to pay that high a fee for him after already spending on four signings in this month. They are not willing to go all in for the time being and even have backup options in place, having other midfielders of a similar profile on their transfer list – adds Plettenburg.
Fernandez Might Attract Transfer War in Summer Window
With Benfica reportedly having told Chelsea that they will not entertain any offers below the £105 million release clause for the Argentina midfielder’s sale, it looks like he is now likely to stay with the Portuguese side for the time being. He will look to have a prolific second half of the campaign at the back of an excellent World Cup, at the end of which he was named the World Cup Young Player of the Competition.
Read More: Chelsea Exploring Conditions to Sign Marcus Thuram
Fernandez has already had a pretty good campaign with Benfica, scoring four goals and providing five assists in 26 appearances in all competitions. He’ll hope to take them far into the Champions League knockout stages and help them clinch the Liga Portugal title at the end of the season as well.
