Watch: Fabrizio Romano reveals what’s next for Chelsea & Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea are on the verge of launching a bid for Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano. But is he likely to join Graham Potter’s Blues, and where does that leave Manchester United and Liverpool?

Fernandez only joined Benfica in the summer from his boyhood club River Plate. He remains contracted until 2027, but it’s widely understood that he has a €120million release clause that will allow him to depart if a club pays it in full.

It had previously been reported that Benfica president Rui Costa had said that the World Cup winner would be allowed to leave in the winter window if his release clause was met. However, the club have refuted those claims.

“SL Benfica clarifies that at no time did the President of the Club, Rui Costa, utter the words that are being disseminated in Italy by DAZN,” read a Benfica club statement. “Sport Lisboa e Benfica reiterates its intention to count on the player Enzo Fernández until the end of the season.”

The reported release clause is over six times more than the reported €18million fee that Benfica paid for his signature just six months ago. River Plate are said to retain a considerable 25% sell-on fee.

If Chelsea were to pay his release clause in full, Fernandez would become the most expensive player in Premier League history, and the joint fifth most expensive transfer in history, behind Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Philippe Coutinho and Joao Felix.

Manchester United and Liverpool are also said to be closely tracking the 21-year-old, whose stock has risen considerably in recent months. He caught the eye at Benfica as they finished above PSG in the Champions League group stage, and shone in the World Cup, playing every minute of the knockout stages as Argentina proved triumphant in Qatar – for which he was named the young player of the tournament, following in the footsteps of Mbappe, Paul Pogba and Thomas Muller.

But what is the state of play on the eve of the January transfer window opening?

“I wanted to update you in these hours because it’s really important to say that now direct discussions are taking place between Benfica the agents of Enzo Fernandez,” began Romano in his latest YouTube update.

“Chelsea is the club which is seriously considering to sign Enzo Fernandez. There are conversations ongoing. What does it mean at the moment? Still nothing triggered the release
clause.

“Why? Because to trigger the release clause, including all the taxes, would mean way more than €120million. What Chelsea want to do in this circumstance is to conversate with Benfica – to speak about the situation, and to structure different kind of payment terms for Enzo Fernandez. So to make an important bid, a huge bid, but to have Benfica open to discuss payment terms.

“President Rui Costa is trying to keep Enzo Fernandez at the club until the end of the season.”

Romano went on to talk about how Fernandez himself is enticed by Chelsea’s proposal, before adding:

“Liverpool are not negotiating with Benfica, are not negotiating with the agents of Enzo Fernandez. We heard rumours of Liverpool and Man United triggering the release clause of Enzo Fernandez in the last few days. That was not true.

“Liverpool and Man United never triggered the clause. Liverpool appreciate the player, Man United too, but never made an official bid. So the interest is there, he’s a top talent, but Chelsea are actively trying to find a way for Enzo.”

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