Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is open to parting with a lucrative fee after Benfica star Enzo Fernandez has become the ‘latest name’ to work his way onto Graham Potter’s shortlist of Stamford Bridge targets, journalist Paul Brown has told GiveMeSport.
Fresh faces could join the Blues when the transfer window reopens for business at the turn of the year.Chelsea transfer news – Enzo Fernandez
According to Portuguese media outlet Record, Chelsea have submitted a £115million bid as they look to steal a march on Fernandez’s other suitors.
The report suggests the west Londoners are willing to pay more than the £105million release clause written into the Argentina international’s Benfica contract as they are eager to fend off extensive competition.
An anonymous £88million bid, thought to have been lodged by Newcastle United, has already been rejected by the Portuguese giants as they look to hold onto Fernandez.
It has also been reported that a pre-agreement to join Liverpool next summer has been signed, while Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Inter Milan have been in discussions with the creative midfielder’s agent.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano recently told GiveMeSport that it would take a ‘crazy’ bid to convince Benfica to sell Fernandez during the winter window.
What has Paul Brown said about Fernandez?
Brown understands that Chelsea are keen to win the race for Fernandez’s signature next month.
The journalist feels the capital club are open to parting with a substantial fee as the 21-year-old has already shown he has an abundance of talent.
Brown told GiveMeSport: “Enzo Fernandez is the latest name Chelsea are trying to sign.
“He’s another younger player with a very bright future and they seem to be willing to put a lot of money down for him.”
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Would Fernandez be a good signing for Chelsea?
Having been appointed as Chelsea’s head coach in September, Potter would certainly make a statement by drafting in Fernandez.
He has returned to Benfica as a World Cup winner and played a key role in Argentina’s success in Qatar.
According to WhoScored, Fernandez was his nation’s fourth-best performer during the tournament as he was handed a rating of 7.06, while he also clinched the Young Player of the Tournament award.
The South American is certainly capable of being a threat in the final third of the pitch as he has found the back of the net 16 times during the early stages of his senior club career.
FBref statistics show Fernandez ranks in the 99th percentile for progressive passes, along with the 91st percentile for assists, among his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year.
With that being the case, it is clear that Chelsea should not hesitate in rubber-stamping a deal which sees the Benfica man head to Stamford Bridge.
Source: Give Me Sport
