Premier League facet Chelsea introduced the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica on Wednesday after a day of difficult talks between the golf equipment because the Argentina midfielder joined for a British document £106.8 million ($131.46 million).
As the deadline approached, it appeared the deal won’t undergo, however an announcement from Benfica confirmed it had been agreed shortly earlier than 2300 GMT on Tuesday.
Chelsea introduced the signing at 1000 GMT on Wednesday through a video on Twitter that confirmed a clock ticking down, a reference to deadline day.
coming quickly. pic.twitter.com/z5uaH5DB44
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 1, 2023
A Benfica assertion stated Chelsea would pay a contract launch charge for the 22-year-old, who has signed an eight-and-a-half-year cope with the London membership. This takes Chelsea’s switch spending to over £300 million in January alone.
According to media stories, Chelsea pays the charges in a number of instalments.
“Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Fútbol, ​​SAD informs that it has entered into an agreement with Chelsea FC for the sale of all rights to the player Enzo Fernandez for an amount of 121,000,000 euros,” learn an announcement from Benfica.
Benfica signed Fernández from River Plate in July 2022, with a 25% sell-on clause. He scored 4 targets and 7 assists in 29 video games in all competitions for Benfica this season.
The £106.8 million charge eclipses the £100 million Aston Villa paid Manchester City for England midfielder Jack Grealish in 2021.
Fernández was instrumental in Argentina’s World Cup successful marketing campaign in Qatar, breaking into the beginning lineup and taking part in each sport, scoring one objective in an important win over Mexico within the group stage.
He ended the match by successful the Young Player Award.
Benfica boss Roger Schmidt was not eager on letting go of Fernández, however had stated his arms can be tied if a membership paid the participant’s launch clause.
Fernandez is Chelsea’s eighth signing within the mid-season switch window after the London membership signed Mykhailo Mudric, Benoit Badiasile, Noni Maduke, Andrey Santos, David Fofana and Malo Gusto, whereas Joao Felix arrived on mortgage from Atletico Madrid. All of them are 23 or youthful.
On Tuesday, Chelsea offered veteran midfielder Jorginho to Premier League leaders Arsenal for £12million. However, Paris Saint-Germain’s try and signal Moroccan Hakim Ziyech on mortgage failed.
Fernandez’s switch takes Chelsea’s complete outlay on gamers to round £600 million since final May’s takeover by an funding group led by American Todd Bohli and Clearlake Capital as they try and rebuild their squad.
Chelsea are tenth within the Premier League, 10 factors behind the highest 4. They host native rivals Fulham subsequent Friday.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
