Chelsea REOPEN talks with Benfica to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea have reopened talks with Benfica to sign Enzo Fernández.

The Blues failed in their efforts to get the midfielder earlier this month when his offer did not match Benfica’s demands.

However, Chelsea have not given up hope of signing Fernández before Tuesday’s deadline and are again in talks with the Portuguese club.

Chelsea have reopened talks with Benfica to sign Enzo Fernández before Tuesday’s deadline

Fernandez’s latest move comes after Brighton rejected Chelsea’s £55m offer for Moisés Caicedo.

Fernández’s buyout clause is £106m and Benfica want to receive full payment up front.

Chelsea saw an offer worth £112m, £6m more than his release clause, rejected as it was structured to be paid in three installments totaling £37.3m each over three years.

However, Benfica were optimistic in their stance that the structure was not right for them, despite Fernández’s very public attempts to leave the club.

Fernández’s release clause is 106 million pounds sterling and Benfica wants to receive the payment in advance.

Chelsea had a £55m offer for midfielder Moises Caicedo turned down by Brighton

Despite the fact that the first offer was rejected, Chelsea maintained contact with the environment of the Argentine international.

Benfica itself issued a statement at the end of December insisting that Fernández would stay with them until the end of the 2022-23 campaign.

“SL Benfica clarifies that at no time did the president of the Club, Rui Costa, pronounce the words that are circulating in Italy on DAZN,” the club said.

Sport Lisboa e Benfica reiterates its intention to have the player Enzo Fernández until the end of the season.

Chelsea have already strengthened their squad this month with the signings of David Datro Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos, Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto.