Benfica could leave Chelsea no choice but to pay the release clause for Enzo Fernandez as the Portuguese outfit explore ways to fend off interest in the midfielder. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge after impressing for Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar.
The Blues are expected to approach Benfica with another proposal for Fernandez before the end of the month, football.london understands. Chelsea made the youngster a priority target before the new year and they held several rounds of talks over a deal.
But, a move collapsed when Benfica stood firm on their €120million (£105m) valuation, his release clause — a figure which the west Londoners were not prepared to meet. With Graham Potter in desperate need of a new midfielder, Chelsea have reopened negotiations to sign Fernandez but Todd Boehly faces fresh dilemma.
