Stamford Bridge in jubilation as Chelsea chief in Portugal to trigger release clause of £106m world record signing of Argentina star.

World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez is in high demand across Europe’s top clubs, as his displays in Qatar have forced the potential suitors to circle around his club employers Benfica for his acquisition. The 21-year-old has caught the eye of many, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid and even Newcastle United being some of those. Benfica are willing to sell their prized asset as well, with the club well aware that this is their best opportunity to cash-in on a player they bought for a mere £8.8 million from River Plate just six months ago.

However, their £106 million release clause is being deemed as too much by some of the aforementioned interested parties. But Chelsea as usual are ready to sign the bumper cheque in the excess of £100 million as they look to provide ammunition to their new manager Graham Potter who has exceeded all expectations with 8 wins from 15 games in charge so far. Moreover, new owner Todd Boehly too wants to continue his showing of muscle power at Stamford Bridge, after heavy spending in the summer.

Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez’s World Cup exploits for Argentina haven’t gone unnoticed as Europe’s top clubs have already circled around him. Credits: Twitter
Chelsea officials in Portugal to seal the deal for Enzo Fernandez
Although Benfica are ready to sell the youngster despite signing him only this summer, the Portuguese side wants a full payment of release clause of £106 million. The club knows its not just his World Cup performances, which won him the Young Player of The Tournament Award which have attracted the attention of such elite clubs. Enzo Fernandez has been proving his mettle across each game at Benfica and the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea had already scouted him as well.

And the World Cup breakthrough just rocketed his stakes which have enabled Benfica to hold on their asking price. While the trio of Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid are trying to negotiate a cheaper deal for the midfielder, Chelsea on the other hand have already agree to pay the full £106 million in order to avoid any competition from the other parties.

According to Portugal outlet CM, the Blues have even sent an entourage to the Iberian country to hold talks with Benfica and trigger Enzo Fernandez’s release clause. This is a test for Chelsea’s recruitment team, head by newly appointed technical director Christoph Vivell, as the club wants to surpass a transfer battle for the Argentine prodigy and make him available for Graham Potter by the turn of the year.

Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea are leapfrogging their competitors in the race to sign Enzo Fernandez. Credits: Twitter
Super agent Jorge Mendes, who is known for churning out the best deals for his players manages Enzo Fernandez’s matters and is ready to broker a deal between his client and the Premier League giants. However, the player himself feels that a mid-season move may take away the momentum from him and thus wants to continue at Benfica, at least until the end of the season.

Fernandez’s current deal runs until the summer of 2027, but it is quite certain that he may not fulfill it. Moreover, at Benfica, the Argentine will be subjected guaranteed game-time, whereas a move to Premier League next month may not help him with regular minutes. Fernandez has already featured 24 times for Benfica this season in all competitions, netting 3 goals and providing 5 assists.

The World Cup in Qatar too was a fairytale one for him, having started 5 of Argentina’s 7 games at the tournament, including the final against France where he played the full 120 minutes. The World Cup was a testimony to his versatility and maturity at such an young age. With Chelsea’s ageing midfield of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, both 31, its no surprise the club is ready to right away pay the hefty sum to acquire the 21-year-old midfielder