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.
