Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez is reportedly willing to exit the club in the January transfer window and join Chelsea amid Todd Boehly's mission to sign the World Cup winner.
Fernandez, 21, has established himself as one of the most-prized talents in world football since his summer switch to Benfica. After becoming a regular for Roger Schmidt's side, the former River Plate man was named Best Young Player at the World Cup for his performances for Argentina.
Earlier on Thursday, football.london reported that Chelsea had informed Benfica of their intentions of breaking their transfer record - currently sat at £97.5million for Romelu Lukaku - to secure the signing of Fernandez in January by matching the £105m release clause in his contract.
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Whilst Todd Boehly and Benfica remain apart in the structure of the payment, reports from Portuguese outlet Record this evening have claimed that the player is inclined to leave Benfica next month to pursue a move to Stamford Bridge.
After playing a key part in his nation's World Cup triumph, Fernandez was asked about his future as reports of January transfers continued to intensify. "I don't know anything about that," the midfielder said. "It's up to my agent, I don't want to get involved. I'm focused on Benfica, in a few days we have an important game."
The saga between the two parties has travelled at intense speed amid interest from elsewhere. Chelsea are understood to be keen to add quality to Graham Potter's midfield in January to ensure they avoid missing out on Champions League football next season.
Boehly spent over £270m in the summer as part of his first overhaul at the club and is set to repeat the spending spree in the winter window. Striker David Datro Fofana has already been secured while a deputy to Reece James is being targeted after the England international sustained another knee injury.
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