BENFICA have reportedly REJECTED Chelsea's first transfer offer to buy Enzo Fernandez.
Fernandez, 21, is wanted by the Blues to help provide a long-term solution to their midfield issues.
However, he has a massive £106million release clause at Benfica.
And the Portuguese are demanding that fee up front in order to sanction a January sale.
And now Ben Jacobs has reported that Benfica have outright rejected Chelsea's first bid.
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This offer in question, believed to be £112m in structured instalments, was set to smash the Premier League transfer record and was over the value of the release clause.
But Benfica are understandably reluctant to sell following his World Cup winning exploits with Argentina.
In order to make a deal happen, they want Fernandez's release clause paid in full with as much money up front as possible.
Fernandez appears to be gearing up for the move as well.
He flew home against the advice of boss Roger Schmidt for New Year, landing himself in hot water for doing so.
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And he has reportedly agreed personal terms with Chelsea ahead of the move.
Should a deal for him be completed alongside Ukrainian Mykhailo Mudryk, it could mean Todd Boehly would have spent £520m on new players in just seven months.
