Chelsea are on the verge of signing Enzo Fernandez and breaking their own transfer record in the process
(Image credit: Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
Chelsea are on the brink of agreeing a club-record deal for Enzo Fernandez of Benfica. The World Cup winner will become their eighth signing of the window.
The Blues bid for the midfielder earlier in the transfer window but were rebuffed by Benfica, who only signed Fernandez from River Plate over the summer. Following a successful World Cup in which he won the Young Player award, he has become one of the most talked-about players in Europe.
Now, it seems as if Chelsea have their man, following an eye-watering bid.
Enzo Fernandez shot to global attention at the World Cup with Argentina (Image credit: Alex Caparros - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
The Times are reporting that Chelsea are set to shell out an incredible £115 million for Fernandez, who cost Benfica less than £15m mere months ago. Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, says Chelsea "want the player at all costs" and despite Benfica's stance that he is not for sale, the Blues will "insist to get the deal done now."
Chelsea's previous transfer record was around £100m, paid in the summer of 2021 to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan.
Chelsea have been extremely busy in the transfer market since Todd Boehly acquired the club last summer and this winter has followed the hectic summer, with seven new arrivals.
Benoit Badiashile was first to join before David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos both joined. Joao Felix moved to London on loan, before the headline buy of Mykhaylo Mudryk. Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto have both signed for the two-time Champions League winners, too.
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Chelsea have had a hectic winter with Mykhaylo Mudryk being the big news prior to Fernandez (Image credit: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea have also said to be in for Moises Caicedo, though it looks as if the Ecuadorian will stay put, despite interest from a few Premier League clubs.
Fernandez is valued by Transfermarkt to be worth €55m.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
