Enzo Fernandez is understood to be 'very close' to joining Chelsea, in a deal worth £112million to Benfica.
Liverpool have continued to be linked with the World Cup winner in recent weeks, but it now appears a fellow Premier League side have won the race to sign the 21-year-old.
Benfica president Rui Costa has repeatedly claimed Benfica are not prepared to offload star players in the middle of their season, though Sky Sports Italy have claimed Fernandez will join the Londoners for a fee worth €127m (£112m), which will be paid in instalments.
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This news comes after Portuguese outlet Record reported that Fernandez was absent from two separate Benfica training sessions on Monday. It's believed the midfielder flew to Buenos Aires following his club's recent defeat by Braga to spend the New Year with his family, despite not receiving permission to do so.
Fernandez has already agreed personal terms with Chelsea as the two clubs continue conversations over a transfer, which would come as a major boost for Graham Potter's struggling side.
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