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Chelsea confirm signing Enzo Fernandez for British record fee £106.8 million

By Eurosport
Football News LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Enzo Fernandez of Argentina poses with his young player of the tournament award during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. Image credit: Eurosport
FEB 1, 2023 LISTEN
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Enzo Fernandez of Argentina poses with his young player of the tournament award during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Image credit: Eurosport

Chelsea have confirmed the capture of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in a British record €120 million (£106.8m) deal.

Fernandez, who played a starring role as Argentina lifted the World Cup in Qatar last year, has penned an eight-and-a-half-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

The arrangement over how the fee would be structured was sealed in the final hours of the January transfer window – a £30m upfront fee followed by five further instalments – with Chelsea asking for an extension to complete the paperwork.

On Wednesday morning, some 12 hours after the window officially closed, Chelsea finally announced the 22-year-old had moved to west London. Fernandez's arrival follows the departure of Jorginho, who sealed a deadline-day move to Arsenal for a reported £12m.

The Argentina international will be a welcome addition to Graham Potter’s side, who have struggled in the early part of the season and are facing a tough task to secure Champions League football.

Fernandez joined Benfica for £10m and has represented the club 25 times, scoring three goals following his move from River Plate in July 2020.

He scored 12 times and registered 10 assists in 53 games for the Argentine Primera Division side before moving to Europe. River Plate have a 25% sell-on clause on Fernandez's transfer to Chelsea.

The midfielder was presented with the Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup in Qatar in December. Fernandez scored for Argentina in their crucial group-stage win against Mexico.

He played only three times prior to their World Cup campaign, making his debut in September.

Chelsea were the most active Premier League club in the January transfer window. Their spending hit £322m with Fernandez becoming their eighth signing.

Fernandez joins Malo Gusto, Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Andrey Santos and Noni Madueke as Chelsea's new recruits.

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