Chelsea sign Enzo Fernandez for record-breaking $129 million

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica. After chasing the Argentina international for weeks, the Blues finally get their man. The $130 million fee will break the British transfer record for incoming players.

Chelsea had negotiations drag with Enzo Fernandez due to payment

Although the price was agreed in principal for quite some time, the two clubs negotiated the exact structure for hours. Benfica wanted to receive three installments over the course of two or three years. Chelsea, on the other hand, favored a more spread out agreement. The Blues wanted to pay the $130 million in six installments over a five-year period. Nevertheless, the final structure has been agreed.

Despite the late move, Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solekol explained how the deal could be handled in a timely matter. “Chelsea have the resources to do this in the last minute,” said Solhekol.  “They have a private jet on standby and can have the medical done in Lisbon. The player is doing what he can to make this deal happen. Benfica are prepared for this to be done in the last minute.”

The deal just narrowly beats the previous Premier League record for a player transfer. Jack Grealish cost Manchester City about $6 million less than Fernandez in the summer of 2021.

Benfica make massive return on investment

Fernandez only moved to Benfica six months ago. The Portuguese club spent about $15 million to bring in the dynamic midfielder from River Plate in July. Fernandez played just 17 league matches for Benfica, scoring one goal and adding five assists in this competition.

The 22-year-old midfielder helped Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar last month as well. Despite his relatively young age, Fernandez featured in all seven matches at the competition. He managed to score one goal and supply an assist during the tournament. The midfielder’s stellar play earned himself the FIFA Young Player Award at the competition.

Chelsea have a total net spend of about $600 million during the current campaign.

PHOTO: IMAGO / AFLOSPORT