Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has been urged not to spend £105million on Enzo Fernandez in the January transfer window. The Blues splashed out close to £300million in the summer and look set to invest heavily in new signings once again.
The west Londoners have already completed the signing of David Datro Fofana from Molde, with Graham Potter admitting the club will decide the best option for his development in the coming weeks. football.london understands Benoit Badiashile is set to sign a six-and-a-half year deal and become Chelsea's second signing in January, after agreeing personal terms with Graham Potter's side and completing a medical in London ahead of a £33.6million move.
The Blues have been locked in negotiations with Benfica over a deal for Fernandez who impressed for Argentina the World Cup and helped his nation become world champions. The 21-year-old midfielder is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge but the Portuguese outfit are standing firm on rejecting offers that don't meet Fernandez's £105million release clause.
READ MORE: Leao and Rice start, Fernandez in: Dream 2023 Chelsea XI after four transfers in £303m spend
Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has urged Boehly not to spend big on Fernandez due to the fact he is yet to prove himself, despite having an impressive World Cup campaign. Speaking with Genting Casino, Gallas said: "The question is if he is the right price.
"What he did in the World Cup for his age was brilliant, that’s why he was voted the best young player in the tournament. I didn't know he was so young. He was playing like an experienced senior player.
"He played as if he had played in a World Cup before and played with a lot of personality. So it's very good to see a player like him. Even if he's a world champion, I don't know if he is worth that value."
Gallas admitted the price is not what worries him about a deal for the 21-year-old, but more that Fernandez has not even played a full season in Europe since arriving at Benfica from River Plate last summer. The France icon continued: "For me, I don't have a problem with the price of the players.
"I just have a problem with the price of the players who haven’t proved themselves. Every player can have one great season. The most difficult thing is to have the second great season in a row, then the third and the fourth. It is only then that you can put the price on these players, but straight away after two games, to put a price like this?
"I know it's the market but the club has to be careful. You can’t put a price of £120m on one player like this and you don't know if he is going to have a good season in the Premier League because it is a different league if you have to compare it with Spain.
"Chelsea have to be careful. I think they have made a mistake like this already."
Chelsea have spent big on the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Kepa Arrizabalaga in the past, with neither signing proving to be a massive hit at Stamford Bridge. Lukaku was shipped back out on loan after a poor first season after returning to the Blues in a £97million deal, whilst Kepa is yet to become the world-class goalkeeper Chelsea thought they were signing for £75million back in 2018, despite regaining his place as the club's No. 1 goalkeeper under Graham Potter.
READ NEXT:
Chelsea handed huge boost ahead of Man City clash as Pep Guardiola faces defensive injury blow
Predicted Chelsea team vs Man City – Trevoh Chalobah returns, Jorginho dropped, Sterling starts
James, Mendy, Loftus-Cheek: Chelsea injury news and return dates ahead of Manchester City clash
Every word Graham Potter said on Chelsea vs Man City, Haaland, transfer targets, Datro Fofana
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
