Chelsea and Benfica found themselves deadlocked in negotiations over the transfer of midfielder Enzo Fernandez. Benfica is reportedly prepared to sell the player to the Premier League side on condition that their €120 million release clause is met in full.
Sources from both clubs have delivered conflicting messages over the sale of the 21-year-old Argentinian. While sources close to Benfica claim that Chelsea could pay up to €127 million with the additional sum being used to entice the Portuguese club to accept the payment in installments, sources familiar with Chelsea insist that the Premier League club has not yet committed to the sum of the release clause.
While Fernandez remains a top transfer target for the Blues, Chelsea is hoping to negotiate his price down with Benfica. A lower fee would give Chelsea the extra funding necessary to pursue other acquisitions including Monaco center-back Benoit Badiashile, who the club is set to sign for a fee of €37 million.
Currently, in 10th place in the Premier League, the Blues are looking to strengthen their squad in order to turn their season around and qualify for European football next season.
