Chelsea make fresh attempt to sign January target Enzo Fernandez

• Chelsea have approached Benfica with a new offer for midfielder Enzo Fernandez
• Benfica has earlier this month rejected another offer for the Argentine midfielder from Chelsea
• Fernandez has been Chelsea’s top target in the January transfer window

According to reports, Chelsea has not given up on getting their top January target Enzo Fernandez to Stamford Bridge before the transfer window ends on Tuesday.

Fernandez was the subject of an earlier window offer from Chelsea. Benfica withdrew from the negotiations after extensive discussions failed to result in a deal.

This month, it was reported that the contact channels between the parties to the negotiations were still open. In fact, 90min also reported that Benfica were anticipating Chelsea to make a fresh attempt to sign the player, which is precisely what happened.

Chelsea believes there is still a chance to sign the outstanding Argentinean, 22, who was one of the stars of last month’s 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez has agreed personal terms with Chelsea. | PHOTO: Octavio Passos |

If the two clubs can agree on terms, Fernandez and his representatives have already reached an agreement with Chelsea, which means a transaction may close swiftly.

In the past, Benfica had been adamant that Fernandez’s €120 million release clause be honoured. The two teams were miles apart in terms of how the money would be paid, despite the fact that Chelsea were willing to do it and the Portuguese powerhouses accepting instalments.

The Blues have now returned and are prepared to increase their initial payments. In addition, they are offering Benfica a player to help finalize the deal. Rui Costa, the president of Benfica, will ultimately decide whether to accept, and he has already demonstrated this month that he is no coward.

Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been the top target in the January transfer window for Chelsea. | PHOTO: Goal |

Roger Schmidt, the manager of Benfica, was quick to criticize Chelsea’s interest in Fernandez earlier this month, and he reiterated this weekend that he wants his star player to stay with the team.

“Yes, of course,” he said when asked if he was confident Fernandez would stay. “When you see Enzo playing you can tell he’s in shape and happy

“He’s not thinking about anything else. I’m not expecting to lose any of the starters. I see the players are concentrated and I hope this continues.”

Chelsea have been without a match in more than 12 days and will be back in action this coming Friday when they host Fulham in the Premier League at the Stamford Bridge

The Blues will be better of this time with the return of fullbacks Reece James and Ben Chilwell who have made full recoveries from their respective injuries.

Graham Potter’s side will also head into their UEFA Champions League knockout clash against Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund with the return of midfielder N’Golo Kante who has not played since August last year.