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Chelsea have told Benfica they are prepared to meet the £105m release clause in Enzo Fernandez’s contract, according to reports.
The midfielder was a key part of the Argentina team during their triumphant World Cup campaign in Qatar.
Fernandez, who is valued at £48.6m by Transfermarkt (opens in new tab), was not included in the starting XI for his country’s opening game against Saudi Arabia, but he soon forced his way into the thinking of head coach Lionel Scaloni.
Since the World Cup came to an end, Fernandez has been strongly linked with a move away from Benfica (opens in new tab).
And Chelsea (opens in new tab) have stolen a march on his other suitors as Graham Potter looks to strengthen his squad when the transfer market reopens this weekend.
According to The Sun (opens in new tab), Chelsea have informed Benfica that they are willing to pay upwards of £100m for Fernandez, thereby triggering the release clause in his contact with the Portuguese giants.
That would be a new club-record transfer for the Blues, who believe the 21-year-old – who was crowned Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup – could be a fixture in their midfield for years to come.
Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are both out of contract in the summer, while Denis Zakaria is only on loan at Stamford Bridge from Juventus (opens in new tab).
Chelsea beat Bournemouth (opens in new tab) 2-0 on Wednesday on their return to Premier League (opens in new tab) action following the World Cup.
Potter’s team will take on Nottingham Forest (opens in new tab) at the City Ground this weekend.
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The Blues are thought to be in pole position to land Declan Rice (opens in new tab), although a deal will not go through until next summer at the earliest.
Chelsea have been told they will need to spend big to sign Josko Gvardiol (opens in new tab), who excelled for Croatia at World Cup 2022.
And the west Londoners have been tipped to renew their interest in Rafael Leao (opens in new tab) in the January window.
