Chelsea's transfer saga with Enzo Fernandez despite appearing to reach a conclusion earlier in the January transfer window could yet take another turn before deadline day. The Blues focused their attention on Moises Caicedo after advances for Fernandez were rejected by Benfica who were demanding Chelsea paid the World Cup winners £106million release clause in full.
Equal instalments from Chelsea were proposed but the Portuguese club stood firm on their stance, despite Fernandez's own hope that he would become a Chelsea player this month. Another supposed offer from west London was a swap deal plus cash involving Hakim Ziyech as a permanent acquisition, with January arrivals David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos joining Benfica on loan as part of the deal too.
Benfica grew unhappy though with Chelsea’s attempts to spread the cost of the deal, instead wanting to receive it all at once. Manager Roger Schmidt delivered his verdict on many occasions, with his latest claim making his stance clear on what would happen in the remaining days of January.
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"Yes, of course [I'm confident Enzo stays]. I think when you see Enzo playing at the moment for Benfica, I see a player who is on his top level, who is very happy to play for the club and I think there is nothing else in the mindset of the player," he said.
"I don't expect that we lose any of our players who are playing a lot and who are in the starting XI. That's why I see very focused players and that's why I expect that he stays."
The transfer saga involving Chelsea's other main midfield target Moises Caicedo looks set to go down the wire. In the last few days, Arsenal saw a £60million bid rejected, before Caicedo himself released a statement on social media hinting he wants to leave this month. Brighton then instructed the 21-year-old to stay home until the end of the January trading period.
Portuguese outlet Record have now provided two key updates on Fernandez and Chelsea which indicates something could still yet happen in the remaining days.
Their report claims that Benfica are expecting Todd Boehly and co. to return with another offer in the next 72 hours and perhaps upon learning of that, club president Rui Costa has set plans in motion to increase the 22-year-olds release clause.
Currently standing at £106million, Benfica want to see that valuation raise by £26million which, if sanctioned, would likely spell the end of interest from Stamford Bridge.
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