Chelsea 'agree £112m Enzo Fernandez deal'

Chelsea have reportedly reached an agreement with Benfica to sign Enzo Fernandez for a Premier League record fee of £112m.

The 21-year-old midfielder has attracted interest from a host of top European clubs after being named Young Player of the Tournament at the 2022 World Cup with winners Argentina.

Fernandez has also impressed during his short stint at Benfica since joining the club from River Plate over the summer, contributing with three goals and five assists in 25 appearances across all competitions so far this season.

The youngster penned a five-year contract with the Portuguese giants until 2027, but manager Roger Schmidt recently admitted that the midfielder may have already played his last game for the club.

Fernandez played for 89 minutes in Benfica's 3-0 defeat against Braga last Friday, and when asked about the midfielder's future after the game, Schmidt said: "I don't know if that was the last match of Enzo.

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"I think Enzo is a great player. Since he arrived at Benfica, he's played fantastic football. Also, as a person, he's completely identified with the club.

"Like I said before the match, sometimes things in football happen and then players have to make decisions. We will see what happens [in the] next weeks."

A recent report claims that Chelsea have already agreed personal terms with Fernandez, who has been persuaded to join Graham Potter's side after holding informal talks.

Now,Sky Sports Italia, via The Mirror, reports that the West Londoners have moved a step closer to finalising a big-money deal for the midfielder after agreeing a €127m (£112m) fee with Benfica.

The report adds that the fee agreed is slightly higher than the player's €120m (£106.4m) release clause and will be paid in three instalments over the next three transfer windows as opposed to an immediate lump sum.

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Chelsea are said to have agreed to spread the overall payment to avoid breaking Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, having already splashed out in excess of £250m since the summer.

The Blues are hoping to finalise the transfer in the 'coming days' and have seemingly fought off competition from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid for his signature.

Fernandez is not the only fresh face on his way to Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea are reportedly on the verge of signing centre-back Benoit Badiashile from Monaco.

The 21-year-old Frenchman is understood to have undergone his medical on Monday after the two clubs agreed a €38m (£33.6m) fee.

Vasco da Gama starlet Andrey Santos is also closing in on a permanent switch to Chelsea, although the 18-year-old is expected to link up with the club's academy.