Chelsea do have concerns about paying Enzo Fernandez’s release clause due to Financial Fair Play, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Benfica are demanding that clubs stump up the Argentinian‘s €120m (£106m) buyout fee upfront, and Romano says that could prove problematic for the Blues:
“Chelsea could sign one more striker, so it’s not easy for them to trigger Enzo Fernandez’s release clause [as well]. We will see soon if they decide to move for him, they appreciate the player, but it’s complicated for them with Financial Fair Play.”
Supporters on Twitter are divided on whether the club should break their transfer record for Fernandez, with many believing he isn’t worth the outlay:
He's not worth it.
— Tokas Goodman (@NtomchukwuUdeze) December 29, 2022
Just pay it, man.
— Eniola Adeoyolanu (@EAdeoyolanu) December 29, 2022
That clause is ridiculous… he’s barely worth half the price tbh
— Cloud9ine (@_OG_9ine) December 29, 2022
A structured payment will not be a problem for Chelsea with a move in the summer assured. A lump sum payment may not help with the FFP worries.
— Kachinho (@kachi_dguy) December 29, 2022
Get that money and pay for rice instead… Why are we trying so hard to pay so much for a player that just came out…
— YourActualFather_ (@FatherActual) December 29, 2022
Come on chels pay it
— Cfc_Nkunku (@boehly_bluesss) December 29, 2022
He is a good player but the money is just to much and we can even get someone of his own caliber like Caicedo for about 30-40 million
— Adebisi Damilola (@Adebis120) December 29, 2022
It's just too much
— wildcard♠️ (@lilwildcard720) December 29, 2022
As some have pointed out, one way to get around the FFP regulations would be to structure the deal so payments are made over a number of years.
Benfica, however, seem adamant that Fernandez won’t leave during the January transfer window so the only way to secure his signature now would be to pay the release fee in one lump sum.
Liverpool and Manchester United are also said to be interested in the 21-year-old but neither club is likely to spend that much on Fernandez. We shall see how this transfer story develops in the coming days and weeks.