Chelsea propose a club record bid to sign Enzo Fernandez for Manchester United and Liverpool

Chelsea are preparing a club record bid for Argentine star Enzo Fernandez.

The 21-year-old has emerged as one of football’s most sought-after young midfielders after a thrilling first season in Europe, with Benfica also playing a key role in his country’s World Cup success in Qatar.

Manchester United and Liverpool are both keen to sign Fernandez following move talks with Benfica in January.

The player has a €120 million release clause in his contract with Benfica and according to reports in Portugal last week, the club had already rejected a €100 million offer. is satisfied.

With United and Liverpool already vying for his signature, the Daily Record now reports that Chelsea are ready to step in with a huge bid for the former River Plate starlet.

The report alleges Todd Boehly proposed a deal that would see Chelsea pay more than the £127 million Atletico Madrid paid Benfica in 2019 for Joao Felix – the club’s current record sale.

The Blues hope Fernandez will push to leave Benfica in January, with the club determined to keep him until the end of the season.

The midfielder returned to Lisbon on Tuesday following Argentina’s World Cup victory and will discuss Chelsea’s bid with his club this week.

When asked about his future on Monday, Fernandez said: “I don’t know anything about my future or any proposals, my representative will take care of that.

“I don’t want to go into the subject. I’m focusing on Benfica, we have a game on Friday.”

Benfica chairman Rui Costa said earlier this month that Fernandez will not be sold unless his release clause is activated.

“Our only goal is to have a successful season, no player will leave – except because of the clause – which is fundamental to the selection at the moment,” he said.

“What I can promise our fans, I did earlier this year. This is a sporting project, not a financial project. Fortunately, we don’t have any financial problems and we don’t have to sell players.”