Enzo Fernandez: Chelsea complete signing of Argentina ace from Benfica for British record £106.8m
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Updated 01/02/2023 at 14:38 GMT
Enzo Fernandez is finally a Blue. Chelsea confirmed the arrival of the Argentine sensation on Wednesday morning, reportedly forking out £106.8 million to land the World Cup winner from Benfica. Fernandez, 21, has featured 25 times for the Portuguese side this season and was heavily involved in Argentina and Lionel Messi’s run to the trophy in Qatar at the end of last year.
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Chelsea have confirmed the capture of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in a British record €120 million (£106.8m) deal.
Fernandez, who played a starring role as Argentina lifted the World Cup in Qatar last year, has penned an eight-and-a-half year deal at Stamford Bridge.
The arrangement over how the fee would be structured was sealed in the final hours of the January transfer window – a £30m upfront fee followed by five further instalments – with Chelsea asking for an extension to complete the paperwork.
On Wednesday morning, some 12 hours after the window officially closed, Chelsea finally announced the 22-year-old had completed his move to west London. Fernandez's arrival follows the departure of Jorginho, who sealed a deadline day move to Arsenal for a reported £12m.
The Argentina international will be a welcome addition to Graham Potter’s side, who have struggled in the early part of the season and are facing a tough task to secure Champions League football.
Fernandez only joined Benfica for £10m in June from River Plate last year, representing the club 25 times and scoring three goals. River Plate have a 25% sell-on clause on Fernandez's transfer to Chelsea..
The midfielder was presented with the Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup in Qatar in December. Fernandez scored for Argentina in their crucial group stage win against Mexico.
He played only three times prior to their World Cup campaign, making his debut in September.
Chelsea were the most active Premier League club in the January transfer window. Their spending hit £322m with Fernandez becoming their eighth signing.
Fernandez joins Malo Gusto, Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Andrey Santos and Noni Madueke as Chelsea's new recruits.
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