CHELSEA are preparing one final push to lure Enzo Fernandez from Benfica this month.
And SunSport understands the Blues are considering a late bid of around £60million plus add-ons to tempt the Portuguese side into finally selling.
Graham Potter has seen SIX new signings come through the door in the January window alone, costing a total of £189m.
Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Andrey Santos and Noni Madueke have bolstered the club’s already player-heavy squad.
Including their summer splurge under new owner Todd Boehly, that figure rises to almost £400m.
But a midfielder remains their priority, with World Cup-winning Argentine Fernandez top of their list – despite his £105m release clause.
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Benfica have remained stubborn during this window, demanding the clause paid in full for any departure to be accepted for a player contracted until 2027.
Chelsea have attempted to get around this with an offer including instalments – something that was not well received by club president Rui Costa.
But they will resume talks this week, hopeful a bid at the final hour of the window will be too good to turn down.
Fernandez has his heart set on Stamford Bridge after hearing of their interest earlier this month, and will be desperate for the Portugal giants to grant his Premier League wish.
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Potter is in need of fresh legs in midfield.
Jorginho and N’Golo Kante could both leave in the summer at the end of their contracts, although the latter could still sign on for longer.
Chelsea are also keeping tabs on Brighton’s Moises Caicedo after having a £55m offer rejected last week, and could go back in for the Ecuadorian should Fernandez fall flat.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
