Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has claimed that Enzo Fernandez's proposed transfer to Chelsea is "closed" after weeks of negotiations between the Blues and the Portuguese club. A £105million release clause had been placed in the contract of the Argentine midfielder, but Chelsea were far more interested in paying a sizeable transfer fee through instalments.
A total package worth £120million plus another £10million available as performance related add-ons was offered to Benfica for Fernandez, with Rui Costa said to be considering the proposal. However, the Benfica chief's stance of only allowing the deal if the release clause was met remained intact.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are yet to schedule a new meeting with Benfica after talks over a deal structured with three instalment payments collapsed. Chelsea are said to have officially bid £75million for the 21-year-old, a fee that falls well below Fernandez's release clause.
