Chelsea launch final huge bid to sign top midfielder

Chelsea have reportedly told Benfica they will pay Enzo Fernandes’ £106million release clause in an attempt to secure his services before the January window closes.

Chelsea, who confirmed the £26.3m signing of Malo Gusto from Lyon on Sunday, had an offer of around £75m plus bonuses rejected for Fernandez earlier in the month.

Therefore, the Premier League giants will travel to Portugal on Monday to host a new round of talks with Benfica and offer to pay the 22-year-old’s £106m release clause in instalments.

According to Futebol, Chelsea are sending a body of representatives out to Libson to close a deal with Benfica before the January transfer window closes.

Chelsea will reportedly offer to pay the 22-year-old’s £106m release clause in instalments as they are under pressure to finalise a deal within the next 48hours.

The decision comes after Benfica rejected Chelsea’s previous offer of around £75m plus bonuses earlier in the month.

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Chelsea had also saw a bid with £112m – £6m more than his release clause – rejected as it was structured to be paid in three instalments.

Benfica wanted the full release clause to be paid up front, instead of Chelsea’s proposal where they would pay £37.3m over three years.

However, Chelsea are hoping they will be able to agree terms with the Portuguese side when they meet in Lisbon on Monday.

The fact Fernandez has been very public in his attempts to leave the club could play into Chelsea’s hands during negotiations.

Although, Benfica did release 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.

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‘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 several signings – including David Datro Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos, Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto.