Enzo Fernandez Chelsea transfer very advanced – Fabrizio Romano

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 3 Jan 2023 19:03 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea are pushing hard to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claiming that a deal for the World Cup winner is “really advanced”.

The 21-year-old has shone in Portugal since arriving for a fee of €12 million from River Plate in the summer months.

Although he had been monitored by some leading clubs before that moment, that interest has accelerated markedly following his performances for Benfica and with the victorious Argentina side at Qatar 2022.

MORE: Premier League ‘sharks’ told to make Enzo Fernandez most expensive Argentine ever

Romano says that talks are progressing in an encouraging manner but have not yet reached the point whereby a transfer is inevitable, with the stumbling block liable to be the structure of the deal.

He says: “At the moment there are negotiations ongoing for Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea will push this week to get it done, it’s really advanced, but it’s not completed yet. It will depend on Benfica, on president Rui Costa who always said he wanted €120m clause or nothing.

“It’s always open to other clubs until it’s done, but Liverpool will not pay €120m clause and never made an official bid despite fake news around.

“Chelsea would ideally like a different structure to the €120m clause, but the player really wants to join. It will be up to Benfica, though, so we’ll see what happens in the next few days.”

Bruno Andrade has added that Chelsea want to pay 25% of the €120m release clause now, with the rest to follow in two or three instalments. Benfica have rejected this.

Romano previously reported that personal terms between Enzo Fernandez and Chelsea have already been agreed.

Benfica hint at Enzo Fernandez exit

Benfica boss Roger Schmidt, meanwhile, suggested that a 3-0 loss to Braga at the weekend, his club’s first loss of the season, may be Fernandez’s last for the club.

“I don't know if that was the last match of Enzo,” said Schmidt.

“I think Enzo is a great player. Since he arrived at Benfica, he's played fantastic football. Also, as a person, he's completely identified with the club.

“Like I said before the match, sometimes things in football happen and then players have to make decisions. We will see what happens [in the] next weeks.”

Enzo has played 23 times for Benfica, scoring three goals and creating four more.