Chelsea are on the verge of reaching an settlement with Benfica over the signing of Enzo Fernandez, sources have instructed 90min.
The midfielder was one of many breakout stars of the 2022 World Cup, taking residence the Younger Participant Award as Argentina claimed their third title on the expense of France.
Curiosity in Fernandez’s companies has develop into widespread, and whereas Liverpool and Manchester United had been most closely linked with him at one level, Chelsea are in pole place and a deal is predicted to be wrapped up shortly.
Sources near the deal have instructed 90min that there’s a perception Benfica, who initially demanded Fernandez’s €120m launch be paid in full and up entrance, will now settle for a much bigger provide within the area of €130m in change for Chelsea paying it in a number of instalments.
Fernandez is going through disciplinary motion from Benfica after lacking coaching classes this week, whereas it’s hoped that the switch could be wrapped up earlier than their subsequent sport on January 6.
All events at the moment are ready on Benfica chief Rui Costa to green-light the deal, however Chelsea consider an settlement to make Fernandez the fourth-most costly footballer of all time is just about assured – solely Philippe Coutinho (€145m to Barcelona), Kylian Mbappe (€180m to PSG) and Neymar (€222m to PSG) may have have been transferred for greater than the Argentine.
Fernandez may also develop into the costliest signing in Chelsea historical past, eclipsing the €115m price paid to re-sign Romelu Lukaku from Inter in 2021.