Chelsea's hopes of completing the blockbuster January transfer signing of Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez are continuing to increase following overnight talks between the two parties.
Fernandez, 21, has been identified as Todd Boehly's No. 1 priority this month in a bid to overhaul Graham Potter's midfield. Amid the uncertainty of Jorginho and N'Golo Kante's future at the club, work is well underway at recruiting the next stars to pull the strings in the middle at Stamford Bridge
Having only moved to Portugal from Argentine side River Plate for £10million in the summer, Fernandez is set to provide his current employers a massive pay-off should Chelsea secure his services. The Benfica star has become one of Europe's standout players following stellar performances in the Champions League and World Cup.
READ MORE: Enzo Fernandez makes major Benfica decision amid £114m Chelsea January transfer agreement
The Blues face breaking the Premier League transfer record - currently sat at £100million for Jack Grealish - to get their man and are hoping to spread the cost of the fee over three instalments amid concerns over Financial Fair Play. It's understood that the Portuguese club are keen to keep hold of Fernandez, until the summer at least, but have altered their stance should they receive a world record fee.
Fernandez recently missing training and various reports suggest his head has been turned by the prospect of joining Potter's men. However, the payment structure of the deal remains a major problem in the deal following the emergence of an unfortunate clause.
Any deal involving Fernandez will see River Plate earn 25% of the fee, meaning Benfica would only earn £79.5million for the player if the £106million release clause was met. Chelsea could be on course to cough up close to £112million, however, to ensure Benfica recoup a greater transfer fee (£84million).
CBS Sports' Ben Jacobs has, however, claimed that Benfica would allow the deal to be split, assuming they receive a bigger first payment.
Chelsea and Benfica held further (and long) talks last night on Enzo Fernandez. Still some key points of difference. Benfica are prepared to sell in a deal spread over multiple instalments, but asked for a bigger first payment. pic.twitter.com/6r2LMUe2mc
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen)
The decision, it seems, is now in the hands of Benfica and more specifically, president Rui Costa. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the two clubs spent Tuesday night in negotiations regarding the deal but are yet to come to an agreement.
It's likely that the pay structure and amount Benfica will receive up-front is the contributing factor to the delay of the deal. Romano also insisted that "key details" of the transfer are yet to be ironed out and the Blues are awaiting Costa to sign off the deal.
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