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LONDON — Premier League club Chelsea have reached an agreement with Benfica to sign Argentina World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez for a British record 105 million pounds ($129 million), according to Sky Sports on Tuesday.
With the clock ticking on the transfer window, the clubs have been in negotiation about the structure of payments to meet the release fee in the player's contract.
According to media reports an agreement had been reached, with Chelsea now racing to register the paperwork ahead of the closing of the transfer window.
Enzo Fernández to Chelsea… HERE WE GO! Agreement reached right now between Chelsea & Benfica #CFC #DeadlineDay
Important: clubs running to get the documents signed before end of the window, it’s finally agreed.Boarding set to be completed — London ✈️ @TurkishAirlines pic.twitter.com/YGwY4QGseQ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2023
Enzo Fernández will sign with Chelsea until June 2031 — exactly same deal agreed on the first week of January #DeadlineDay
Nothing has ever changed between the player and Chelsea: he’s always been open to the move and happy to join #CFC. pic.twitter.com/QSTRH0b72W— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2023
The fee would eclipse the 100 million pounds Manchester City paid Aston Villa for England midfielder Jack Grealish in 2021.
Fernandez was instrumental in Argentina's World Cup campaign in Qatar, with the 22-year-old breaking into the starting lineup and playing every game, capping off the tournament by bagging the Young Player Award.
Benfica boss Roger Schmidt was not keen on seeing Fernandez leave but had said their hands would be tied if a club paid the player's release clause.
Fernandez moved from Argentine side River Plate to Benfica only last year and has played 29 times in all competitions, scoring four goals and grabbing seven assists.
He is set to become Chelsea's eighth recruit in the mid-season transfer window after the London club signed Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Andrey Santos, David Fofana and Malo Gusto while Joao Felix arrived on loan from Atletico Madrid.
OFFICIAL: Chelsea have agreed to the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, confirmed by @LaurensJulien
The World Cup winner is the Blues' EIGHTH signing of the transfer window pic.twitter.com/U9hJPLLGV2— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 31, 2023
Fernandez's transfer would take the club's total outlay on players since last year's takeover by an investment group led by American Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital to more than 500 million pounds.
Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League, 10 points adrift of a top four spot. They next host local rivals Fulham on Friday.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman Editing by Toby Davis)
