Chelsea full report signing of Benfica’s Fernandez

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Premier League facet Chelsea accomplished the signing of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for a British report £106.8 million on Wednesday after a day of advanced negotiations between the golf equipment.

As the clock ticked down on deadline day it appeared a deal won’t be reached, however a press release from Benfica confirmed that it had been agreed shortly earlier than 2300 GMT on Tuesday.

It mentioned Chelsea would pay the contract launch payment for the 22-year-old, who has signed an eight-and-a-half yr cope with the London membership. It takes Chelsea’s switch spending in January alone to greater than 300 million kilos.

Chelsea had been nonetheless to formally affirm the completion of the record-breaking deal however in response to Sky Sports the paperwork had been submitted on time and earlier than the deadline.

According to media experiences, Chelsea pays the payment in a number of instalments.

“Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, informs that it has reached an agreement with Chelsea FC for the sale of all the rights of the player Enzo Fernandez, for an amount of €121,000,000,” a Benfica assertion learn.

The payment eclipses the £100 million Manchester City paid Aston Villa for England midfielder Jack Grealish in 2021.

Fernandez was instrumental in Argentina’s World Cup-winning marketing campaign in Qatar, breaking into the beginning lineup and taking part in each recreation, scoring one of many objectives in a significant victory over Mexico within the group section.

He capped off the match by bagging the Young Player Award.

Fernandez joined Benfica from Argentine facet River Plate in July 2022 and has scored 4 objectives in 29 appearances.

Benfica boss Roger Schmidt was not eager on seeing Fernandez go away however had mentioned their palms can be tied if a membership paid the participant’s launch clause.

Fernandez is Chelsea’s eighth recruit within the mid-season switch window after the London membership signed Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Andrey Santos, David Fofana and Malo Gusto whereas Joao Felix arrived on mortgage from Atletico Madrid. All of them are 23 or youthful.

On Tuesday, Chelsea bought skilled midfielder Jorginho to Premier League leaders Arsenal for £12 million.

Fernandez’s switch takes Chelsea’s whole outlay on gamers since final May’s takeover by an funding group led by American Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital to round £600 million as they attempt to rebuild their squad.

Chelsea are tenth within the Premier League, 10 factors adrift of a top-four spot. They subsequent host native rivals Fulham on Friday.