Benfica manager Roger Schmidt is braced for Enzo Fernandez's departure amid a three-way Premier League battle for his signature.
Manchester United and Liverpool are understood to be battling one another to sign the 21-year-old midfielder, yet it emerged on Wednesday that Chelsea now lead the race for his sought-after signature. Following Fernandez's high-profile exploits for Argentina at the World Cup, which earned him a winner's medal and the young player of the tournament award, the Blues are reportedly ready to trigger his eye-watering release clause of €120million (£106m).
Like the Benfica hierarchy, boss Schmidt is desperate keep hold of their star midfielder, who could play his final match for the Portuguese champions on Friday when they travel to face Braga. "Until December 31st we are sure that we have all the players and nobody can leave," the German declared when asked about Fernandez during his pre-match conference on Thursday.
