Chelsea and Benfica are ‘no closer to reaching an agreement’ for Enzo Fernandez, with a transfer looking ‘complicated’ at this point.
That’s according to journalist César Luis Merlo and Record, who both say it is looking unlikely that Chelsea will pull off a deal for the World Cup winner.
The Blues have been chasing the Argentine all month as they spend vast amounts of money reshaping Graham Potter’s squad in this window.
Unlike with other deals, though, they have been unable to get Benfica to play ball, with the Portuguese side insisting that the player’s €120m release clause be paid in full and nothing less.
Merlo backs that up, stating that at this stage a deal looks like it will be too ‘complicated’ to reach, despite Chelsea offering €120m in six payments.
That didn’t satisfy Benfica, so the Blues are still ‘trying to unblock’ the move, with the player electing to stay off the pitch for the time being.
Record say the same, confirming that Fernandez is set to miss the upcoming clash with Arouca amid the transfer speculation.
He, though, is ‘getting closer to staying’ at Benfica as there is still no agreement between them and Chelsea.
According to their information, Benfica are ‘trying everything’ to keep hold of the Argentine until the end of the season, and at this point that is looking increasingly likely to happen.
🚨Chelsea y Benfica no están cerca de llegar a un acuerdo por Enzo Fernández y, a esta hora, el traspaso luce complicado pese a la oferta de €120M en 6 pagos.
*️⃣Los ingleses continúan intentando destrabar la salida del argentino, que ha decidido mantenerse al margen. pic.twitter.com/knv9qgoaPg— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) January 31, 2023
