Enzo Fernandez makes late U-turn over Chelsea

Benfica midfielder, Enzo Fernandez, has made a late U-turn amid transfer interest from Chelsea.

Fernandez is now pushing to join Chelsea before the January transfer window closes on Tuesday night.

Chelsea have been negotiating with Benfica for the past few weeks over Fernandez’s signature but have been unable to agree to a deal with the Portuguese giants for the Argentina international.

Benfica have been adamant that the Premier League giants must pay Fernandez’s €120 million release clause, and the Blues’ attempt to meet that figure by offering the fee in instalments has been rejected.

Fernandez, meanwhile, was disciplined by Benfica earlier this month as he attempted to force his move to Chelsea by missing two training sessions and returning to Argentina for New Year celebrations without permission.

The 22-year-old then appeared to signal that he wanted to stay in Portugal with his celebration in front of Benfica’s supporters after scoring in their Portuguese Cup win over Varzim.

However, according to Record, Fernandez has had another change of heart and has indicated to Benfica that he wants to join Graham Potter’s side before the window closes on Tuesday.

The report added that members of Chelsea’s board are now travelling to Lisbon in order to negotiate directly with Benfica in a bid to secure Fernandez’s signature.