According to reports, Benfica are demanding the full £106 million release clause from Chelsea for star midfielder Enzo Fernandez because River Plate are owed 25% of the fee. The Blues have been heavily linked with a high-profile move for Argentina’s World Cup hero..
Following a sensational World Cup, Fernandez is in high demand. After Argentina’s thrilling victory over France, the 21-year-old was named Player of the Tournament.
Chelsea are said to be leading the race to sign him, with Benfica set to profit handsomely from a player they signed just six months ago. Fernandez joined from River Plate in the summer for a fee of £10 million.
Fernandez signed a long-term contract with Benfica that included a £106 million release clause..
Interested clubs will be required to pay the entire fee.
According to the Mirror, River Plate will be owed 25% of any fee Benfica receives. The Primeira Liga club is therefore eager to maximize Fernandez’s price tag in order to ensure that they are properly compensated.
When Fernandez eventually leaves River Plate, he will receive around £26 million. Chelsea is thought to be ahead of Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool in the race.
Benfica wants Fernandez to stay until the summer, and the club issued a statement last week insisting that quotes from club president Rui Costa had been taken out of context. Costa was quoted as telling DAZN that sufficient bids would be accepted..
“SL Benfica clarifies that at no time did the Club’s President, Rui Costa, utter the words that have been circulated in Italy by DAZN,” the club said in a statement on Friday.
Contrary to popular belief, Benfica intends to retain their star player until the end of the season. Fernandez has played an important role in both the Portuguese top flight and the Champions League.
Chelsea, on the other hand, will undoubtedly put Benfica to the test with talks scheduled for January. Despite spending a record £260 million in the summer, the Blues are expected to be active in the transfer market..
Graham Potter wants to leave his mark on the Stamford Bridge team. During Thomas Tuchel’s reign, the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were signed, and the former Chelsea manager was in charge of the pre-season business.
However, Potter replaced Tuchel just a week after the transfer window closed and appears to be lacking in a couple of positions. Midfield is thought to be a priority, with Fernandez the leading candidate.
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