Todd Boehly appears to be exploring alternatives to Enzo Fernandez as Chelsea struggle to reach an agreement with Benfica. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month but, with a deal yet to be agreed on deadline day, it looks increasingly unlikely that the Blues will land their primary target.
football.london understands that the west Londoners have held intense talks with the Portuguese outfit. It's said that Chelsea submitted a bid in excess of the £105million release clause in Fernandez's contract.
But, it has been proposed that the fee would be spread out over instalments rather than being paid in full. The Argentina international is eager to join and it's understood that he's informed Benfica he wants to leave.
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However, despite confidence among senior figures at Chelsea that an agreement will be reached, there has been little indication as to whether or not Fernandez will leave the Estádio da Luz this month. However, if reports from Germany are to be believed, the Blues have identified an alternative to the Argentine in the Bundesliga.
According to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany, Chelsea and Manchester United have both enquired about the transfer of Marcel Sabitzer on deadline day. The report states that Bayern Munich are in talks with the two Premier League sides.
The 28-year-old, who sees his contract at the Allianz Arena expire in 2025, has featured 24 times for the Bundesliga champions this season but directly contributing towards just two goals from midfield. The Austria international has struggled to impress for Bayern, though he has only averaged 42 minutes a game this term.
Earlier this month, Sabitzer's agent told Bild TV that he does not expect his client to leave the German giants. Roger Wittmann said: "Marcel feels comfortable at Bayern and signed a five-year contract.
"Up until today, nobody from the club nor us has said otherwise. So these are just stories in the media."
Upon his move to Bayern from RB Leipzig in 2021, CEO Oliver Kahn claimed that the £17.6million-rated ace has the necessary qualities to succeed at the club.
The former Germany international told the club website: "Sabitzer brings everything to the table a player needs to play for FC Bayern. He will also not need a long acclimatization period because he is already very familiar with the philosophy of our coach Nagelsmann."
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