- 56 minutes ago
Chelsea to beat Man Utd and Liverpool to Enzo Fernandez signing
Karan Tejwani
- Updated: 28 Dec 2022 19:04 GMT
- 4 min read
Chelsea are set to complete a deal for Benfica youngster Enzo Fernandez and have expressed their willingness to pay his release clause in January.
The 21-year-old had a fantastic World Cup with Argentina as his side won the trophy and he was named the Young Player of the Tournament.
He got into the Argentina team after his goal as a substitute against Mexico and had been undroppable after that, playing all the way until the final victory over France.
READ: Who is Enzo Fernandez? The World Cup star chased by Man Utd and Real Madrid
That prompted the rise in interest in him, and Chelsea are keen to avoid competition for him and will move to get a deal done as quickly as possible.
Chelsea willing to pay Fernandez clause
Fernandez only signed for Benfica in the summer from River Plate for a €21 million fee and his release clause is set at €120 million, which Chelsea are willing to match, according to the Evening Standard.
The Blues have been in communication with Benfica and have expressed their willingness to pay the fee in order to beat competition from Manchester United and Liverpool.
READ: How Barcelona snubbed Enzo Fernandez & Julian Alvarez for €30m COMBINED
They will still have to agree terms with the player himself but are optimistic of a deal working in their favour in order to bring the Argentine to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are in need of midfield reinforcements as N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are both out of contract at the end of the season and their renewal is uncertain.
They have already made moves to improve their side, with Christopher Nkunku set to join next summer while they are keeping tabs on Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile and RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol.
Three things to keep in mind when discussing Enzo Fernández’s price tag:
1) Whatever Benfica sell him for, River Plate receive 25%
2) He’s 21 and has a contract until 2027 — he will have more offers in the summer if he remains
3) A first league title since 2019 is priceless— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) December 28, 2022
The objective is to build a talented young team under Todd Boehly’s joint-ownership and build a side that is capable for challenging domestically and in Europe over the next few years.
Fernandez certainly fits that category and given his talents, what he’s achieved in the game and his price tag, he will be the centerpiece of the new Chelsea set-up, should he complete the move.
