Transfer Centre

Enzo Fernandez deal 'held up by Chelsea payment plan'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 31 January 2023

Chelsea's £105.6m move for Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez is reportedly being held up due to the clubs' failure to agree a payment structure.

Chelsea's mammoth deadline day move for Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez is supposedly being held up by the Blues' payment plan.

Graham Potter's side had seemingly conceded defeat in their pursuit of the Argentina international earlier in January, having apparently angered Benfica with their wish to pay his £105.6m release clause in instalments.

However, Chelsea have since reignited talks with the Eagles late in the window, and Blues chiefs have flown over to Portugal in an attempt to thrash out an agreement with Roger Schmidt's team.

According to Sky Sports News, Chelsea's preferred payment structure is still a roadblock in negotiations, as the Blues want to pay six instalments over the course of five years.

Benfica, meanwhile, want to receive three instalments in the space of two years, to which Chelsea responded that they wanted to pay a smaller fee upfront if that was to be the case.

The Portuguese giants have not responded to Chelsea's latest counter-offer, but Fernandez has been undergoing his medical in the Iberian nation as the two clubs remain locked in negotiations.

The 21-year-old was named the best young player at the 2022 World Cup and has four goals and seven assists to show from 29 appearances for Benfica during his debut campaign, having joined from River Plate last summer.