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Chelsea has made a £105.6 million bid for Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez, which is close to reaching an agreement.
Todd Boehly’s Blues want to pay the release clause fee in installments because doing so violates Financial Fair Play and has tax implications.
Chelsea have been in talks to sign the Argentina World Cup winner all month, but Benfica have refused to do so unless Chelsea pay the €120 million (£105.6 million) release clause.
Chelsea had offered players on loan and on permanent deals but the Portuguese side refused to accept anything except the release clause figure.
The west London side have also tried to sign other midfielders this month, including Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and Everton’s Amadou Onana.
Chelsea’s search for a midfielder comes amid question marks over the long-term futures of Jorginho and N’Golo Kante, whose contracts expire at the end of the season.
