Enzo Fernandez has undergone medicals in Portugal as Chelsea agrees to a record £115m deal with Benfica for the Argentine youngster.
After a sparkling 2022 World Cup display, Enzo Fernandez fell into the spotlights of big clubs in Europe with Chelsea leading the race to sign the highly-rated Argentine playmaker.
Benfica maintained a no-sale decision from the start and have slammed a whooping £106m price tag to ward off interest from potential suitors.
Chelsea continue to make advances for the player and entered into talks with Benfica trying to broker a deal, all to no avail.
Chelsea were ready to meet Benfica’s buyout clause for Enzo Fernandez, but preferred an instalmental payment plan.
Benfica previously insisted on full payment but as the negotiations progressed, they finally accepted the instalmental payment plan proposed by Chelsea with a condition that a lump sum have to be paid first.
Chelsea failed to meet Benfica’s demand for a bigger initial payment.
Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez was pushing for a move to the London club and had clashed with the club’s hierachy after he defied the club, and traveled to Argentina during the festive period.
His antics was linked to Chelsea’s interest with Benfica fans calling for the Argentine to dismissed from the club for the harrowing disrespect.
After the incident, Benfica doubled down on their effort to retain him with Benfica manager Roger Schmidt insisting he his not for sale an describing Chelsea interest and bid for the 21-year-old as insulting.
Amid the ensuing row, talks between the two clubs broke down. Chelsea retreated from talks while Benfica kept the midfield sensation featuring him in Benfica Primeira Liga matches.
However, with hours to go in the transfer window , Chelsea suddenly reawaken interest in Enzo Fernandez and flew their delegation again to Portugal to resume talks with the Portuguese club.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea wanted Enzo Fernandez at all cost and were eager to pay the €120m buyout clause for the Argentina international.
While Benfica President insisted on keeping Enzo Fernandez, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that talks between the club’s were progressing with Benfica President Rui Costa postponing his dinner party to negotiate with Chelsea’s contingent from London.
Since the meeting, talks between the two clubs had dragged on for hours with Chelsea seeking a breakthrough while Benfica President Rui Costa did not give the greenlights.
However Chelsea were optimistic of pushing through a deal after agreeing to Benfica’s release clause of £112m for the midfield sensation.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that personal terms with the World Cup winner is not a problem. Enzo Fernandez wanted to secure a move to London before talks previously broke down.
Now, the Argentine inch closer to his dream move to Chelsea after his medical in Portugal following Chelsea’s agreement with Benfica on the record £112m deal.
Benfica reportedly agree for his medical to done in Portugal as the two sides hopes to wrap up the deal before the transfer window closes.
Enzo Fernandez joined Benfica from River Plate for £10m in August, 2022,, and has scored 4 goals in 26 appearances for the Primeira Liga team.
After the completion of the deal, he will replace Jorginho, who had left the Blues to Arsenal for £12m on a one-year contract.
