Enzo Fernandez: Chelsea complete signing of Argentina ace from Benfica for British record £106.8m

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

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.

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 only joined Benfica for £10m in June from River Plate last year, representing the club 25 times and scoring three goals. 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.