Benfica to demand £106m release clause fee for Enzo Fernandez, THREE clubs involved in 'open race' to sign him

Benfica have THREE European clubs reportedly eyeing up rising prospect Enzo Fernandez and have remained firm on their asking price for the Argentina star.

Fernandez signed for Benfica last summer in an initial £8.8m deal from River Plate, but the Argentine midfielder’s transfer value has skyrocketed since the World Cup.

The 22-year-old Benfica star played a starring role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar, with Fernandez scoring once and registering one assist.

Fernandez, who took home the Best Young Player award at the World Cup, is under contract with Primeira Liga side Benfica until 2027.

Chelsea were heavily linked with the World Cup-winning Argentine in the January window but the Premier League club failed to reach an agreement.

Benfica face a real test in keeping hold of Fernandez in the summer window, with the Portuguese side demanding a club must activate his £106m release clause.

According to CBS Sports Golazo’s Ben Jacobs, Chelsea are among the clubs still interested in signing the Argentina international.

However, it is believed that the race to sign him will intensify in the summer, with both Real Madrid and Liverpool potential suitors for Fernandez.

“If nothing dramatic happens in January, there will definitely be an open race for him come summer,” Jacobs tweeted.

If nothing dramatic happens in January, there will definitely be an open race for him come summer. Chelsea, Liverpool and even Real potentially. Completely different negotiation in four months.

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) January 26, 2023

“Chelsea, Liverpool and even Real potentially. Completely different negotiation in four months.”

Benfica boss Roger Schmidt was not happy with Chelsea’s pursuit of Fernandez and insisted the only way the player could leave would be through his release clause fee.

“There’s a club who want our player. They know we don’t want to sell the player,” he said.

“They tried to get the player on their side and they know they only can get this player when they pay the clause. So, it’s a very clear situation...

“What the club is doing who wants to buy Enzo is disrespectful against all of us, against Benfica and I cannot accept what they are doing.

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“So, to make the player crazy and then to pretend they can pay the clause and later they want to negotiate...

“I think it is not what I understand about a good relationship between clubs who maybe want to discuss about the player.”