Enzo Fernandez joins Chelsea for British-record transfer fee

Chelsea have completed the signing of Benfica Midfielder Enzo Fernandez for £106m on transfer dead line.

The Argentine became the most expensive player in the history of British football after joining Chelsea from Benfica for 106.7 million pounds ($131.4 million), the Portuguese club announced Wednesday.

The fee eclipse the 100 million pounds (then $139 million) that Manchester City paid Aston Villa for England international Jack Grealish in August 2021.

Chelsea agreed to pay the release clause in the 22-year-old World Cup winner’s contract after a day of negotiations between Benfica and the co-owners of the Premier League club.

 Benfica signed Fernandez from Argentine club River Plate in August, for a reported fee of around $10 million plus add-ons.

Enzo made name for himself at the World Cup in Qatar last year, when he broke into Argentina’s team during its run to winning the title.

Source: AP