Benfica has issued Chelsea target Enzo Fernandez a warning after the midfielder skipped the team’s training sessions on Monday, according to Record.
The 21-year-old has been linked with a potential January exit with a number of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, reportedly among the interested parties.
Earlier reports suggested that Benfica have been trying to convince Fernandez to stay at the club for the second half of the season, although according to Fabrizio Romano, the player himself is keen on a Premier League transfer.
It remains unclear whether the midfielder’s reported desire for a transfer had anything to do with his action, but Record claims that he missed two training sessions on Monday.
The Portuguese outlet adds that Fernandez was absent in training after flying to Buenos Aires, Argentina, following Benfica’s defeat to Braga to spend the New Year with his family.
The problem is that the club reportedly did not give him permission to do so.
As a result, the Argentina international is said to be facing a heavy penalty from the club for his missing a day of work.
The report mentions that Benfica has also issued the midfielder an ultimatum to immediately report to work at the club’s training centre.
According to Romano, Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly was in direct talks with Benfica and ready to make a huge bid for the former River Plate star, who reportedly has a release clause worth €120million (roughly £106m).
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