Chelsea REOPEN talks with Benfica to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea have reopened talks with Benfica to sign Enzo Fernandez. 

The Blues failed in their efforts to land the midfielder earlier this month when their bid did not match Benfica’s demands. 

However, Chelsea have not given up hopes of landing Fernandez before Tuesday’s deadline and are once again in talks with the Portuguese club.

Chelsea have reopened talks with Benfica to sign Enzo Fernandez before Tuesday’s deadline

The latest move for Fernandez comes after Brighton rejected Chelsea’s £55million bid for Moises Caicedo. 

Fernandez’s release clause is £106m and Benfica are keen to receive the full payment upfront. 

Chelsea saw a bid with £112m – £6m more than his release clause – rejected as it was structured to be paid in three instalments totalling £37.3m each over three years. 

However, Benfica were bullish in their stance that the structure was not suitable for them, despite Fernandez’s very public attempts to leave the club. 

Fernandez’s release clause is £106million and Benfica are keen to receive the payment upfront

Chelsea had a £55m bid for midfielder Moises Caicedo rejected by Brighton

Despite having the first bid rejected, Chelsea maintained contact with the Argentina international’s entourage.  

Benfica released a statement at the end of December insisting that Fernandez would remain with them until the end of the 2022-23 campaign. 

‘SL Benfica clarifies that at no time did the President of the Club, Rui Costa, utter the words that are being circulated in Italy by DAZN,’ the club said.

‘Sport Lisboa e Benfica reiterates its intention to count on the player Enzo Fernández until the end of the season.’

Chelsea have already bolstered their squad this month with the signings of David Datro Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos, Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto.