Chelsea: Late £106m deal now 'definitely one to watch' at Stamford Bridge | OneFootball

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GiveMeSport

·26 January 2023

Chelsea: Late £106m deal now 'definitely one to watch' at Stamford Bridge

Article image:Chelsea: Late £106m deal now 'definitely one to watch' at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea have been active in the transfer window and a late Stamford Bridge move for Benfica star Enzo Fernandez is ‘definitely one to watch’, Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has told GiveMeSport.

The Blues have not been afraid to splash the cash this month, with Mykhailo Mudryk costing £88.5million, but head coach Graham Potter could strengthen his options even further ahead of the fast-approaching deadline.


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Article image:Chelsea: Late £106m deal now 'definitely one to watch' at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea transfer news – Enzo Fernandez

According to Portuguese media outlet Record, Chelsea have not given up on their pursuit of Fernandez after failing to strike a deal earlier in the transfer window.

The report suggests the west Londoners are preparing a fresh proposal which could be lodged in the coming days after already seeing previous offers turned down.

Respected journalist Simon Phillips recently told GiveMeSport that Chelsea could push to reach an agreement for Fernandez despite still being unwilling to pay the release clause written into his contract.

The Argentina international previously confirmed he is open to making the move to Stamford Bridge, while he has also told Benfica boss Roger Schmidt that he is keen to complete the transfer and agent Jorge Mendes has been pushing to reach an agreement.

But Benfica president Rui Costa is unwilling to sanction Fernandez’s mid-season exit unless his £106million release clause is met.

What has Dharmesh Sheth said about Fernandez?

Sheth has refused to rule out the possibility of Chelsea luring Fernandez to the capital before the transfer window slams shut.

However, the Sky Sports reporter believes it could be difficult for co-owner Todd Boehly to reach an agreement with Benfica due to the Portuguese giants having little time to find a replacement for the central midfielder.

Sheth told GiveMeSport: “It is definitely one to watch but, as it stands with only six days to go in this window, Benfica are standing firm.

“They want that release clause or the deal doesn’t happen and you’ve got to think, with so little time to go, they’re still in the last 16 of the Champions League and how would they bring in a replacement in the time that remains?

“Also, a potential selling club would know that they’ve got £106million burning a hole in their pocket and they’ll just raise the price.”

Would Fernandez be a good signing for Chelsea?

There is no doubt that Fernandez would give the Chelsea backline more protection as Sofascore statistics show he averages 2.4 tackles in the Portuguese top flight this season.

Having racked up 36 goal contributions over the course of his senior club career, the 22-year-old is clearly capable of being a major threat in the final third of the pitch as well.

Fernandez was sensational at the World Cup and his performances resulted in him being handed a 7.06 rating by WhoScored, which was only bettered by three Argentina teammates en route to glory.

He also grabbed the Young Player of the Tournament award, further emphasising how much of an impact the South American made on the sport’s biggest stage.

respective contracts being due to expire in the summer, and Fernandez would be the perfect acquisition.

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