---
title: "Chelsea: Blues reach ‘crucial’ talks with Enzo Fernandez"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-blues-premier-league-enzo-fernandez-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2023-01-30T12:45:51Z"
modified: "2023-01-30T12:45:51Z"
---

# Chelsea: Blues reach ‘crucial’ talks with Enzo Fernandez

**[Chelsea](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-news/) have reached a ‘crucial’ stage of negotiations over the signing of Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.**

### The Lowdown: Enzo pursuit moving fast

The 22-year-old burst onto the scene at the 2022 [World Cup](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/world-cup-2022/), winning the competition with Argentina and [winning](https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/enzo-fernandez-the-rapid-rise-of-argentinas-award-winning-youngster) the Best Young Player award in Qatar.

Chelsea have since been [linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-news/chelsea-blues-readying-mammoth-enzo-fernandez-bid/) with a move for Fernandez throughout the winter window, as Graham Potter looks to make additions to an ageing midfield.

Fresh [reports](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11691369/Chelsea-launch-final-attack-sign-Enzo-Fernandes-fly-Lisbon-seal-deal.html) have suggested that the transfer could still happen before deadline day ends on Tuesday evening and a new update has now emerged.

### The Latest: Romano drops fresh update

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1620001840640446464?s=20&t=x11EZC77FKBs8AifTkk-6g) on Monday morning, Romano claimed that negotiations over a €120million (£105.5m) move are ongoing with Benfica, as talks reach a critical stage:

> “Understand Chelsea are negotiating with Benfica again right now — as they have confirmed to Benfica intention to proceed with €120m bid in installments for Enzo Fernández. It’s a crucial day.
>
> “Rui Costa, expected to decide after he always asked for the release clause.”

### The Verdict: Could be a huge signing

For a while, it looked as though Benfica would hold firm and keep hold of Fernandez until the summer, but there does now appear to be genuine hope from a Chelsea perspective.

If they could get a deal over the line, it could be a signing that helps turn their uninspiring season around, with the Benfica man [described](https://www.sportsunfold.com/lionel-messi-captain-of-argentina-lavishes-praise-on-enzo-fernandez-a-midfielder-who-has-been-linked-to-real-madrid-and-describes-him-as-spectacular/) as a ‘spectacular’ player by none other than Lionel Messi – high praise indeed.

The [ten-time capped](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/enzo-fernandez/profil/spieler/648195) Argentina international already plays with such maturity and could bring a mix of energy and control to Chelsea’s midfield, enjoying an [87.6%](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/369430/Show/Enzo-Fern%C3%A1ndez) pass completion rate and averaging 3.1 tackles per match at the World Cup, while also ranking extremely highly amongst midfielders for several metrics at club level, as per [FBRef](https://fbref.com/en/players/5ff4ab71/Enzo-Fernandez).