Blues make move for World Cup hero Enzo

CHELSEA have made ‘a substantial offer’ for Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez — but it’s understood to be in instalments rather than his £106million release clause from Benfica outright.

The 21-year-old was selected to play for the Portuguese side against Sporting Braga last night but has told his club he is open to making the move if Stamford Bridge chiefs can agree a fee.

Benfica insist they do not wish to sell Fernandez in this window and have offered him an improved contract but recognise his head has been turned by the attraction of moving to London in a lucrative deal.

Liverpool, whose priority is Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, Manchester United and Newcastle also rate Fernandez highly but have not made offers. Benfica’s valuation is considered too high for a player who cost just £8.5m from River Plate last summer despite his obvious qualities.

Chelsea, who travel to Nottingham Forest tomorrow, hope to convince Benfica to relent by offering a significant fee up front.

Should they fail, they have alternatives including Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister, who also starred for Argentina during the World Cup and is well-known to Chelsea boss Graham Potter and his recruitment staff. Mac Allister could be slightly more affordable than Fernandez although Chelsea know from experience that Brighton will still look for a substantial fee for the 24-year-old who recently extended his contract.

Chelsea, who have held positive talks over a new contract for N’Golo Kante have also registered interest in Arsenal’s No1 target Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk. Arsenal are ready to increase their bid for the Ukrainian after having £45m rejected earlier this week.