Chelsea are prepared to interrupt the British switch document after tabling a £105m bid for Enzo Fernández in an try to signal the Benfica midfielder earlier than the deadline on Tuesday evening.
Fernández is Chelsea’s high goal and they’re hopeful their newest provide will clinch a deal. The bid meets the buyout clause within the Argentina worldwide’s contract but it surely stays to be seen whether or not the cost construction will persuade Benfica to promote.
Negotiations are ongoing and sources near Benfica have continued to insist they need Chelsea to pay the clause in a single sum. That might be an excessive amount of for Chelsea, who’ve spent greater than £450m on signings since being purchased by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Their proposal is to pay in six instalments.
Even that might be an eye-watering charge for Fernández, who has instructed Benfica he needs the transfer. The 22-year-old, who helped Argentina win the World Cup final month, would eclipse Jack Grealish as the most costly participant within the historical past of English soccer. Manchester Metropolis paid £100m to signal Grealish from Aston Villa. Chelsea’s document purchase is Romelu Lukau, who joined from Internazionale for £97.5m. Lukaku was loaned again to Inter final summer season.
The Belgium striker’s scenario is a reminder that Chelsea, whose different midfield targets embody Brighton’s Moisés Caicedo and Everton’s Amadou Onana, have to trim their squad. They’ve been busy this month, including to Graham Potter’s choices with the everlasting additions of Andrey Santos, Benoît Badiashile, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke and the mortgage signing of João Félix.
Chelsea’s newest transfer was the £31m signing of Malo Gusto. The 19-year-old right-back, purchased with a view to offering competitors for Reece James, has been loaned again to Lyon for the remainder of the season.
The potential arrival of Fernández may pressure Conor Gallagher to think about his future. Everton have provided £40m plus £5m in add-ons for the midfielder. It’s unlikely that Gallagher, who additionally has curiosity from Newcastle and Crystal Palace, would need to be a part of Everton on condition that they’re in a relegation battle.
Chelsea’s asking value for Gallagher may make a mortgage extra possible. It’s understood that there’s curiosity within the England worldwide from the Bundesliga.