Soccer-Chelsea complete record signing of Benfica's Fernandez (updated)

Sport Lisboa e Benfica Futebol SAD

01/02/2023 01:10

(Adds details of deal)
    By Martyn Herman
       LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Premier League side Chelsea
completed the signing of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez
from Benfica for a British record 106.8 million pounds ($131.46
million) on Wednesday after a day of complex negotiations
between the clubs.
        As the clock ticked down on deadline day it appeared a
deal might not be reached but a statement from Benfica confirmed
that it had been agreed shortly before 2300 GMT on Tuesday.
  
        It said Chelsea would pay the contract release fee for
the 22-year-old, who has signed an eight-and-a-half year deal
with the London club. It takes Chelsea's transfer spending in
January alone to more than 300 million pounds.
  
        Chelsea were still to officially confirm the completion
of the record-breaking deal but according to Sky Sports the
paperwork had been submitted on time and before the deadline.
  
        According to media reports, Chelsea will pay the fee in
several instalments.
  
        "Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Futebol, SAD informs that it
has reached an agreement with Chelsea FC for the sale of all the
rights of the player Enzo Fernandez, for an amount of
121,000,000 euros," a Benfica statement read.
  
        The fee eclipses the 100 million pounds Manchester City
paid Aston Villa for England midfielder Jack Grealish in 2021.
  
        Fernandez was instrumental in Argentina's World
Cup-winning campaign in Qatar, breaking into the starting lineup
and playing every game, scoring one of the goals in a vital
victory over Mexico in the group phase.
        He capped off the tournament by bagging the Young Player
Award.
    Fernandez joined Benfica from Argentine side River Plate in
July 2022 and has scored four goals in 29 appearances.
        Benfica boss Roger Schmidt was not keen on seeing
Fernandez leave but had said their hands would be tied if a club
paid the player's release clause.
    Fernandez is Chelsea's eighth recruit in the mid-season
transfer window after the London club signed Mykhailo Mudryk,
Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Andrey Santos, David Fofana and
Malo Gusto while Joao Felix arrived on loan from Atletico
Madrid. All of them are 23 or younger.
        On Tuesday, Chelsea sold experienced midfielder Jorginho
to Premier League leaders Arsenal for 12 million pounds.
  
        Fernandez's transfer takes Chelsea's total outlay on
players since last May's takeover by an investment group led by
American Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital to around 600 million
pounds as they try to rebuild their squad.
        Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League, 10 points adrift
of a top four spot. They next host local rivals Fulham on
Friday.
($1 = 0.8124 pounds)
 (Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis/Peter
Rutherford)
 ((martyn.herman@thomsonreuters.com; +442075427933; Reuters
Messaging: martyn.herman@thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))