Benfica set Chelsea fee for Enzo Fernandez

Benfica are doggedly sticking to their valuation

Miguel Delaney
Chief Football Writer
Monday 30 January 2023 08:21 EST
Comments
Related: Benfica coach slams Chelsea for ‘disrespectful’ pursuit of Enzo Fernandez

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Chelsea have been told to pay Enzo Fernandez’s £106m release clause in order to sign the Benfica midfielder, as they seek to sign a central player in the last two days of this window.

The London club, who have already spent over £220m this month, have been speaking to Benfica about a £112m deal with the fee spread over a number of instalments in the manner they have constructed a number of recent purchases.

Benfica are doggedly sticking to their valuation, though, and have even attempted to raise the release clause. Chelsea purchasing Fernandez through that avenue would involve an up-front fee as well as also additional tax.

The current negotiations mean any fee would be close enough to what Brighton want for Moises Caicedo, at around £90m, and Chelsea are for the moment prioritising Fernandez.

Any further struggle to get the deal for the 22-year-old could see the Stamford Bridge hierarchy go back to Caicedo in the final 36 hours of the window.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in