It has been known for a long time that Chelsea would like to sign Enzo Fernández. However, the negotiations with Benfica Lisbon are currently stalling enormously. The reason: The Portuguese top club demands payment of the contractually fixed 120 million euro exit clause. Chelsea, on the other hand, is not ready for that.
The Blues are reportedly offering an upfront fee of €85m, with the entire amount to be paid in three installments. Benfica is said to have broken off the negotiations prematurely, and they are anything but enthusiastic about the offer from London.
Schmidt clearly criticizes Chelsea
At today’s press conference, Lisbon coach Roger Schmidt commented on the negotiations. The German coach didn’t mince his words: “What this club is doing to sign Enzo shows a lack of respect. They try to drive the player insane, pretend to pull the clause and then say they want to negotiate. I think this is not the right way.”
The fact that Schmidt is so blunt about Chelsea speaks volumes: In Lisbon, there is no agreement at all with the negotiating partner’s approach. However, the former Leverkusen coach protects his protégé: “Enzo is a great guy and a fantastic player, we like him a lot and want him to stay.”
Nevertheless, Fernández is definitely considering a move to Chelsea: “He’s a world champion and there’s a lot of money on the table. A player may be confused when thinking about it. And I think that’s a situation that everyone understands.”, explains Schmidt. Although the negotiations are now on hold for the time being, the last word in the transfer poker for the Argentine world champion has not yet been spoken.
