Enzo Fernandez joins Chelsea for British record fee
Chelsea on Tuesday completed the £106.8m ($131m) signing of Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez in a dramatic final act of the January window.
Benfica confirmed the sale of Fernandes in a statement on Tuesday night at a reported fee that would break Jack Grealish’s 2021 UK transfer record. The Blues also tailed Moises Caicedo late in the window while opting to sell Jorginho to Arsenal and retain Conor Gallagher in a series of high-stakes midfield decisions.
Fernandez, 22, has agreed to an eight-and-a-half-year deal that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2031.
River Plate will reportedly receive a £26.7m transfer fee after agreeing to sell Fernandes to Benfica in June 2022.
Fernandez will arrive at Stamford Bridge in January alongside Mihailo Madric, Benoît Badiacil, Noni Madueque, Maro Gusto, Andrei Santos, David Datro Fofana and Joao Felix. He’s been one of the busiest winter months ever for the club. This reflects Chelsea’s pressing desire to end the season on a strong note. They are currently 10th in the Premier League.
Given that Chelsea faced Felix in the Premier League the day after joining from Atletico Madrid, Fernandes may not have much time to adjust. Graham Potter’s squad will play Fulham on Friday and West Ham on 11 February.