Negotiations between Chelsea and Benfica over the transfer of Enzo Fernandez have not collapsed, according to BBC journalist Alistair Magowan.
Various reports have suggested that the move had stalled after the Blues refused to pay the midfielder’s release clause but Magowan is adamant that talks are ongoing:
“Chelsea and Benfica still differ on their valuation of Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez. Nothing has changed on that front despite various reports of a deal collapsing. The World Cup winner has a release clause of £106m, but Chelsea see that as a huge outlay for a 21-year-old. So one side will have to compromise in order to move any potential deal forward. Fortunately, there are 27 days of the transfer window remaining in which to continue talking.”
There have been various claims made about the Fernandez deal but fans on Twitter are very much hoping that Magowan’s sources are accurate:
Don’t give me hope
— Jimmy (@JimmyCFC_) January 5, 2023
We’re still in!!!
— REC (@CFC_REC) January 5, 2023
Always believed it . its our deal. we wil seal it
— London Cowboys 🇦🇷🤝🇧🇩 (@Bluesman_AZ) January 5, 2023
I don’t believe it’s over. Benfica and selling clubs will never say no to the right amount of money.
There’s always a middle ground.
— Nicholas Benedict (@N1cBenedict) January 5, 2023
Please don’t give me hope 🙏
— The Martinian (@MartinH62201353) January 5, 2023
I dunno what to believe anymore
— Ads (@cfcAds) January 5, 2023
bbc coming up clutch and pretty reliable tbf
— Dike (@Dike53854542) January 5, 2023
The deal will get done. Chelsea need to sort this out and keep deals out of the spotlight
— Lee (@LeeM_uk) January 5, 2023
From the sound of things, it seems that discussions between the two teams could drag on for quite a while. The main disagreement is believed to be over the payment structure.
Chelsea don’t want to pay the bulk of the £106m upfront as they would be in danger of breaching Financial Fairplay rules, but Benfica are not keen on receiving the money in installments.
As Magowan says, one side will have to compromise in the coming days or weeks for a deal to be completed.