Enzo Fernandez was the protagonist of one of the most incredible stories of recent years in the transfer market, on and off the pitch.
Because Benfica's Argentine star remains at the center of a future yet to be clarified; but what has happened in recent months around Enzo Fernandez is full of surprises that really never end
It sounds incredible to think that a few months ago, in August, Benfica was the only club open to invest serious money on Enzo: he wasn't an unknown talent or in uncommon leagues, he was one of Marcelo Gallardo's River Plate stars who made history for years in South America.
Yet, the French, Italian and English clubs that wanted him never concluded the deal. Benfica took a risk with an investment of €10m guaranteed fee plus €8m in add-ons, with taxes too.
Just four months later, Enzo is the best young player in the World Cup thanks to fantastic performances with Argentina and the release clause included in his contract that seemed crazy in the summer... becomes a serious reality: €120m, this is the price to pay to have Enzo already in January.
On this point, the president of Benfica Manuel Rui Costa put his face to it: in public but also in private, in meetings with the board and managers, he always declared that Enzo could only leave immediately if someone paid €120m, not one euro less.
Impossible to think of lower offers, at least in January.
Many of the clubs following Enzo have decided not to make any official offers given Rui Costa's position: Real Madrid have followed him during performances with Benfica in the Champions League but would never have made a €120m offer in January.
There were many rumours about Liverpool and Manchester United preparing to trigger the release clause: this was totally false, because both Liverpool and Manchester United inquired about the terms of the deal but never took any concrete or official step for €120m .
It's important to remember that Liverpool are focused on Jude Bellingham deal for June, as are Man City and Real Madrid too.
Only one club has been really serious so far: Chelsea initially talked to the player, obtaining a green light from Enzo to move to London as early as January for a long-term contract; then, they discussed with Benfica about possible payment terms for the Enzo Fernandez deal considering that the €120m release clause in a solution would be a problem like for all other clubs.
Benfica and Chelsea have had more than four meetings in the last 10 days; all very long, some very tense, especially the last two on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Because Chelsea have presented only one official bid: €85m guaranteed fee, also with the possibility to include players on loan in the deal in a list of candidates.
Benfica were furious: Manuel Rui Costa had always asked for €120m for the release clause, then the official €85m proposal surprised the Portuguese club who left the negotiation.
The situation has become complicated, because everyone expected to be able to proceed with the negotiations but so far there are still no new meetings scheduled.
So far, in fact; because it is Chelsea that will have to decide how they want to proceed, but Benfica are still very irritated and have reiterated a concept that is valid for the Blues but also for potential other clubs that want to take action in January: €120m or nothing, release clause or no way.
A rare situation that also irritated coach Roger Schmidt who knows well how Enzo Fernandez had by now foretasted a future in the Premier League; now, however, he risks having to wait for the summer, if there is no news soon.
That's why Benfica don't want to start Enzo against Portimonense: the fear is that the fans might be angry with him, but the possibility that he stays until June is serious and Benfica want to protect him from possible problems.
Now everything will depend on Chelsea, but Benfica won't change position by an inch: €120m or nothing, Enzo could stay and the club would offer him a salary improvement until June.
