CHELSEA PREPARED TO PAY £106m RELEASE CLAUSE TO LAND ENZO FERNANDEZ

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Chelsea have reportedly informed Benfica they will pay Enzo Fernandez’ £106million release clause in instalments as they look to close a deal before the January window closes.

Chelsea, who confirmed the £26.3m signing of Malo Gusto from Lyon on Sunday, had an offer of around £75m plus bonuses rejected for Fernandez earlier in the month.

The London side will travel to Portugal on Monday to host a new round of talks with Benfica and offer to pay the 22-year-old’s £106m release clause in instalments.

According to Futebol, Chelsea are sending a body of representatives out to Libson to close a deal with Benfica before the January transfer window closes. Owners Todd Boehly and Eghbaly are said to be among the negotiators in Portugal for a repeat of the deal that brought Mykhail Mudryk to SW16.

The choice was made after Benfica turned down Chelsea’s prior offer of almost £75 million plus bonuses earlier this month.

Chelsea also had a proposal with £112 million rejected because it was set up to be paid in three instalments, which was £6 million higher than his release clause.

In contrast to Chelsea’s plan, which called for paying £37.3 million over three years, Benfica wanted the whole release clause to be paid up front.

However, Chelsea are hoping they will be able to agree terms with the Portuguese side when they meet in Lisbon on Monday.