Chelsea Seals Move For Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez
Premier League club Chelsea agreed a deal on Deadline Day to complete the signing of Argentine International midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, for a British-record transfer of £106.8m.
Fernandez, 22, signed an eight-and-a-half-year deal at Stamford Bridge, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2031. The deal for the Argentine surpasses the £100m Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021.
Racing to Enzo! 🏎
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 1, 2023
Chelsea had been in talks to sign the World Cup winner throughout January, but Benfica had refused to do business unless the Blues paid his release clause.
Fernandez was left out of Benfica’s squad for its match against Arouca on Tuesday night, with the World Cup Young Player of the Tournament undergoing a medical in Portugal ahead of his move to Stamford Bridge.
Benfica signed Fernandez in July 2022 from River Plate, who will also benefit from the deal courtesy of a 25% sell-on clause. Fernandez scored four goals and seven assists in 29 games in all competitions for Benfica this season.
Fernandez was instrumental in Argentina’s World Cup-winning campaign in Qatar, breaking into the starting lineup and playing every game. He finished the tournament by scooping the Young Player of the tournament Award as Argentina won the trophy for the first time since 1986.
