CHELSEA and Benfica chiefs were reportedly close to a “physical confrontation” during tense negotiations for Enzo Fernandez.
The Argentina World Cup winner joined the Blues in a record £107million deadline day move.
And he could make his debut in tonight’s league derby against Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
But it was tough going for Todd Boehly’s men as they endured relentless hours of talks with their Benfica counterparts.
The deal even looked to be off on one or two occasions as the parties struggled to agree on the structure of payments.
And Portuguese outlet Record says Chelsea and Benfica chiefs almost got into a “physical confrontation” as a result.
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Chelsea deny the report.
It’s also reckoned Benfica wanted Mateo Kovacic included as part of the deal before accepting they couldn’t meet his £5m-a-year salary.
And the report adds a frustrated Fernandez threatened to post a video criticising Benfica’s management team unless Chelsea’s offer was accepted.
Benfica president Rui Costa certainly hasn’t held back from expressing his disdain over the manner of Fernandez’s exit.
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He claims Fernandez’s attitude made it impossible for the midfielder to play again for Benfica, with the prospect of a cheaper summer deal dismissed by the player and Chelsea.
Costa declared: “I’m sad to have lost the player but I have a clear conscience that I’ve done the best for Benfica. Enzo showed no desire to stay at Benfica.
“From the moment Enzo realised he had the value of the clause, it was uncompromising.
“We insisted but the player did not show openness to continue at Benfica.
“I proposed to Chelsea that he stay until the summer for a lower sale value.
“The player, even so, did not want to continue at Benfica. And this is where everything changed.
“A player who, even with the possibility of not losing a euro and with a secure Chelsea contract, does not want to continue, could never stay at Benfica.
“This player could no longer enter the locker room.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
