Enzo Fernandez’s absence in Benfica’s training sessions this week continues to be a huge subject in the Portuguese media, with local newspapers having several big stories about that today.
It turns out that all this situation is now said to be impacting on his potential move to Chelsea, as a couple of reports now say the Blues have ‘backed down’ in their pursuit for the midfielder.
One of the stories comes from Record. They say that amid the situation between Fernandez and Benfica, a move to the Premier League is now ‘farther from being guaranteed’, since Chelsea could give up on the bid they made by Christmas.
It’s said the Blues ‘hesitate’ about paying nearly €130m for the transfer now and would try again in the summer, when they believe the signing could be done for less.
Meanwhile, newspaper Correio da Manhã writes that the Fernandez’s situation is ‘already costing Benfica money’, claiming Chelsea already backed down from their initial offer.
It’s said the Blues’ reaction took place as soon as the midfielder missed those training sessions.
Chelsea are said to be still willing to pay €120m for the player, but now, with the scenario on their side, they want to split the payment in instalments ‘over several years’.
