Todd Boehly Worried About Enzo Fernandez as Chelsea Submits Final Bid for Benfica Sensation
Todd Boehly is personally driving Chelsea’s last-ditch effort to sign Enzo Fernandez out of concern that rival clubs will make summer offers for the World Cup champion.
On Sunday, it was reported that Chelsea had renewed their interest in Fernandez and were preparing a new offer to present to Benfica.
Earlier in the transfer window, the Premier League club, which has spent more than £400 million on new players since Boehly took over, was strongly linked with a move for Fernandez, but negotiations broke down.
Benfica were adamant that Fernandez was not for sale, and their stance has not changed despite Chelsea’s willingness to spend approximately 120 million euros and even include a current Blues player.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have not been deterred by Benfica’s stance and are willing to “go big” and pay “crazy money” to bring Fernandez to Stamford Bridge.
According to reports, Boehly has a substantial stake in the transaction and is eager to participate in the negotiations because he fears that Chelsea will face more competition for Fernandez if they wait until the summer.
Manchester City and Liverpool, Chelsea’s Premier League rivals, were previously linked to Fernandez, who has established himself as one of Europe’s brightest midfielders this season.
Fernandez is open to joining Chelsea before the transfer window closes in January, but he does not wish to anger Benfica or the club’s fans.
If Fernandez moves to Stamford Bridge, he will join a Chelsea squad that is currently 10th in the Premier League, 10 points outside of the Champions League qualification spots.
The Blues have also been linked with a move for midfielder Moises Caicedo of Brighton, who has been the subject of multiple bids from Arsenal this week.
Sunday, following Brighton’s FA Cup victory over Liverpool, Seagulls manager Roberto de Zerbi commented on Caicedo’s future: “I would like him to finish the season with us.
“[Brighton chairman] Tony Bloom knows very well my opinion. We lost [Leandro] Trossard and if we also lose Caicedo it’s a problem for us if we want to fight for Europe. If we don’t lose Caicedo we are ready to fight.”
Todd Boehly Worried About Enzo Fernandez as Chelsea Submits Final Bid for Benfica Sensation
