Chelsea are reportedly prepared to trigger the release clause of Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
There has been plenty of speculation involving the Argentina international, who has become a sought-after talent after a brilliant World Cup in Qatar last month.
Chelsea have become the team most strongly linked with Fernandez in the last few days, but Fabrizio Romano stated in his Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside that there was a desire to negotiate a differently structured deal, rather than meeting his release clause.
Now, however, it may be that the Blues have had a change of heart and could simply pay the £106million fee required to trigger the deal, according to ESPN.
It’s been a difficult season at Stamford Bridge, so Graham Potter will surely need to make changes to this squad this winter.
Fernandez looks ideal to give Chelsea an upgrade on the likes of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, both of whom look to be past their peak, and both of whom will be out of contract at the end of the season.
Fernandez won’t come cheap, but it could end up being a worthwhile investment for one of the finest young players in world football.