Enzo Fernandez will reportedly receive a huge cash sum from Benfica as an apology for his January transfer to Chelsea breaking down.
The midfielder has been linked with a move away from the Estadio da Luz after winning the World Cup with Argentina.
In what'll come as no surprise to anyone who has followed the news this month, Chelsea showed serious interest in snapping Fernandez up.
His release clause is £106 million and keen to make a splash in the market, Blues owner Todd Boehly explored the opportunity knowing his team needed reinforcements in the middle of the park.
Advert
Chelsea have been without N'Golo Kante since August, while Denis Zakaria is out until next month with a knee issue.
Benfica refused to negotiate a lower price, given Fernandez's performances in Qatar. It saw Chelsea turn their attention to other targets.
According to Portuguese outlet Record, Benfica will give Fernandez €2 million as 'compensation' for a move not coming to fruition. Not a bad apology gift to receive.
Fernandez was named Best Young Player at the World Cup after starting five games and scoring one goal. Alongside Alexis Mac Allister, he helped La Albiceleste to their third World Cup win and first since 1986.
Chelsea have signed six players in the January transfer window so far. David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos, Benoit Badiashile, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke have arrived at Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis while Joao Felix is on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid.
They're not done yet either. Lyon right-back Malo Gusto is a target, although they'd like to keep the teenager until the summer at least.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter admitted following Saturday's 0-0 draw with Liverpool that he hasn't had much input in the signings made this month.
He told BT Sport: "I don’t think it’s as simple as saying they’re mine. For the head coach, it’s very difficult to also have command over these targets and have a list of players that are 'yours'.
"I think my job is to support the club, which is a recruitment team, ownership group, whether it’s transfers, daily environment, or winning matches.
"It’s a club, we’re trying to win together as a club. Whilst I have an input on everything, I’m not the guy that sits in a room and decides everything."
Topics: Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea, Benfica
Daniel Marland