Big Blow for Chelsea as huge offer rejected – Rush to change things on deadline day

Chelsea were again in negotiations with Benfica over a deal for Enzo Fernández on Monday, but the two parties were unable to find an agreement.

Rui Costa, the Eagles president, has insisted the midfielder will only leave if they were to receive a €120m offer, which is the price quoted in his release clause.

Chelsea have tabled a €120m bid and insist on paying this in instalments. O Jogo state this was presented to the Portuguese club by Jorge Mendes, who is acting as an intermediary.

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Costa and Benfica vice-president Luís Mendes were scheduled to attend an event in Covilhã on Monday, but ‘returned urgently to Lisbon’ after the Blues sent a proposal. The Argentina international didn’t train yesterday and has been waiting for an answer.

O Jogo explain Benfica have rejected the latest proposal made by Graham Potter’s side. There’s still time on Tuesday, but Chelsea will have to convince Costa to have any hope of carrying out a deal.

Record also state Costa had cancelled the event elsewhere to return to Lisbon to discuss the 22-year-old’s future. The World Cup winner has informed Benfica he intends to join Chelsea.

He and his agent have put ‘strong pressure’ on Benfica, but Costa ‘remained intransigent’.

The Eagles president wants €120m fee to be paid in one go, while the west London club are willing to offer the same amount in instalments. Due to this, the newspaper explains Fernández is ‘closer to staying’ at Benfica