Chelsea ready to smash their transfer record to sign World Cup star ahead of Man Utd and Liverpool

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to smash their transfer record to sign Argentina World Cup star Enzo Fernandez ahead of Manchester United and Liverpool.

Fernandez has been heavily linked with a move to Jurgen Klopp's side, in particular, in recent months, with those links only increasing as a result of his World Cup performances.

The 21-year-old midfielder started all of Argentina's knockout games, and scored his first senior international goal in the group stage win over Mexico.

Fernandez's box-to-box abilities were on full display throughout the tournament, as well as his passing range and work rate.

But, according to talkSPORT, his club side Benfica have set an asking price of £105 million for the midfielder, who only signed for them in the summer from River Plate.

Now, new reports suggest that Chelsea are willing to pay that price - which would break their existing transfer record of £97 million, spent to sign Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan in 2021.

Chelsea keen on signing Enzo Fernandez

The Daily Record claim that the Blues are prepared to table a bid in excess of €127 million (now £111.8m) to sign Fernandez.

That fee currently stands as Benfica's outgoing transfer record, set when Joao Felix joined Atletico Madrid in 2019.

But it is claimed that Benfica do not want to sell the midfielder, given that they are chasing the Liga Portugal title and are in the Champions League knockout stages, with the Portuguese club hopeful he will stay until the end of the season.

And whilst that may be an easier task as far as United's interest is concerned - the Daily Mail report the Red Devils will only consider loan deals initially in January - a huge bid from elsewhere may force them to sell.

Coincidentally, the Blues are also said to be keen on bringing in Felix from Atletico on a loan deal with an obligation to buy.

That is according to The Telegraph. They claim that Chelsea boss Graham Potter wants to bring a new attacker to Stamford Bridge in January following Armando Broja's knee injury.