Chelsea head into January transfer window deadline with the protracted Enzo Fernandez’ deal still impending after Benfica’s Chief Rui Costa’s frustrating roadblock.
According to Fabrizio Romano, there’s still no greenlight from the President Rui Costa despite tense night of talks with Chelsea. Reports further states that talks are likely to continue this morning with both parties very much insitent on their positions.
Chelsea are very much keen on landing the Argentinean midfielder this January having completed seven signings already this winter.
It is understood that Chelsea are preparing for fresh talks with Benfica over a deal on Tuesday morning (January 31) and are confident that an agreement can be reached. The Blues are willing to pay the entire £106m release clause but still have to iron out the way in which it will be structured.
Benfica want the entire total in full but Todd Boehly and Co. have held out for instalments and are now growing in the certainty that a compromise and a deal will be found.
As with the first round of talks earlier this month, Chelsea and Benfica remain apart when it comes to the structure of the deal. Whereas the Blues were willing to offer more than his release clause over a number of installments, it’s demanded that they pay a large sum up front.
That is believed to be the entire £105m from Benfica’s side but the Blues would be willing to stretch to £80m at this stage according to reports.
Fabrizio Romano has written that Chelsea have turned their attention away from Moises Caicedo at this late stage in order to pursue Enzo Fernandez with their full focus, scheduling in new talks for Monday, January 30. These are set to be absolutely vital in the outcome of the deal.
He writes: “Chelsea have scheduled new round of talks for Enzo Fernández on Monday. Full focus on getting it done, player side won’t be an issue. Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali and the board are on it — Chelsea will reach €120m, depends on Rui Costa.”
Chelsea may well be under some pressure to complete a deal in rapid time with Benfica in action on deadline day, kicking off just hours before the window slams shut. With negotiations unlikely to be possible during that time and Fernandez a shoe-in to play it speeds up the urgency needed.
It means that both parties would favour a deal being agreed on Monday, should that happen.
According to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, Fernandez has stressed in ‘strong terms’ to both president Rui Costa and head coach Roger Schmidt that he wants to leave. The report states that the Benfica board is divided about accepting a structured deal.
Todd Boehly has however expressed confidence in the completion of Enzo Fernandez’ deal this winter after a much protracted negotiation.