Reports have claimed that Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez believes he has played his last game for the Portuguese club.
According to the Evening Standard, the player is adamant that his time with the European side has come to an end amid strong links with a move to Chelsea.
The Blues are reportedly extremely close to completing a deal to sign the Argentina international, after he impressed many at the World Cup.
Despite not originally being a starter alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, he was quickly called upon after the lacklustre start to the tournament.
His goal against Mexico immediately proved the manager’s decision to include him, and he became undroppable from that point all the way until they won the whole thing.
The impressive displays saw Chelsea’s interest peak, with them reportedly pushing hard to beat any rivals to a deal with a January signing.
Fernandez thinks Benfica career is over
The likes of Liverpool had been reported to be extremely interested in a deal.
It appears the Blues have now made progress in convincing the player to join too. Reports have claimed that he is keen on making the move to Stamford Bridge.
The Evening Standard have now suggested that Fernandez believes he has played his final game for Benfica, after returning to Argentina to celebrate on New Years’ Eve.
With the futures of N’golo Kante and Jorginho still up in the air, the Blues will almost certainly require heavy investment in that position in the coming windows.
There has been a reported new wave of confidence however that the Frenchman will sign a new deal at the club, although his injury record has allowed the Blues to rely on him far less.
Jorginho meanwhile is still reportedly expected to leave at the end of the season.
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