Chelsea have been pushed forward as one of the main contenders to sign Benfica star Enzo Fernández in the winter market.
On Thursday, Record reported the Blues had made a huge offer for the midfielder, but the Eagles are determined to keep hold of him until the end of this season.
This was backed up by Benfica themselves later that day when they issued a statement to deny the claims that their president, Rui Costa, had told DAZN the club were willing to part ways with the 21-year-old in the next window.
Despite the Primeira Liga side insisting the player is not for sale in January, the reports linking him to Chelsea and other clubs do not appear to be going away anytime soon.
Argentina journalist César Luis Merlo took to Twitter to explain ‘Chelsea accelerated’ and ‘offered’ €127m to Benfica to sign the World Cup winner.
🚨El Chelsea aceleró hoy por Enzo Fernández y ofreció €127M por su pase.
*️⃣Benfica quiere retenerlo, pero abrió una mínima chance para negociar formas de pago y demás aspectos.
*️⃣De cerrarse en esa cifra, a River le ingresarán €31.750.000M. pic.twitter.com/oXuo7UN7TH— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) December 30, 2022
Although Benfica want to retain the Argentina international, Merlo adds they have opened a ‘minimal chance to negotiate’ the payment methods and other aspects related to the deal after the Blues made an offer.
If Benfica were to agree to sell Fernández to Chelsea for €127m, which is €7m more than his release clause, his former club, River Plate, will be entitled to receive €31.75m.
