Chelsea haven’t given up on making an attempt to signal Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez earlier than the January switch window closes on Tuesday.
Chelsea have been in talks to signal the Argentine all through this month however Benfica have thus far refused to do enterprise until the Blues pay the €120m (£105.4m) launch clause.
Chelsea have provided gamers on mortgage and on everlasting offers however the Portuguese aspect have thus far refused to just accept something besides the discharge clause.
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Fernandez helped Argentina win the World Cup final month
The 22-year-old needs to maneuver to Chelsea however he has been coaching and taking part in since he was dropped for one sport for occurring an unauthorised journey dwelling to Argentina for a New Year’s Eve occasion.
Fernandez, who gained the Best Young Player award on the 2022 World Cup with winners Argentina, performed in Saturday’s 3-0 league win at Santa Clara.
The west London aspect have additionally tried to signal different midfielders this month, together with Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and Everton’s Amadou Onana.
Chelsea’s seek for a midfielder comes amid query marks over the long-term futures of Jorginho and N’Golo Kante – whose contracts expire on the finish of the season.
Benfica boss Roger Schmidt criticised Chelsea’s behaviour of their bid to signal Fernandez earlier this month, saying: “There is a membership that desires him, they tried to draw him, however they know that they’ll solely have him in the event that they pay the clause.
Anton Toloui explains why Chelsea might not be capable of signal gamers on such long-term offers, as UEFA plan to make FFP adjustments to participant contracts
“It’s disrespectful to all of us, to Benfica. They’re driving the participant loopy. They faux they need to pay the clause after which they need to negotiate.”
The 22-year-old is in line for an enormous pay rise if he strikes, however Benfica have been making an attempt to get him to signal a brand new contract as they anticipate golf equipment resembling Real Madrid and Barcelona will attempt to signal him in the summertime.
Although Chelsea can afford to pay Fernandez’s £105.4m launch clause, doing so would affect their capability to adjust to Premier League and UEFA monetary truthful play guidelines.
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Who can be on the transfer this winter? The January switch window closes at 11pm on Tuesday January 31, 2023.
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