Chelsea have changed the terms of their bid for the top midfield target and are expected to make a breakthrough in the coming days, with Southampton nearing the first signing of the Nathan Jones era.
Chelsea confident in Enzo Fernandes despite refusal of release clause
Enzo Fernandes remains Chelsea’s top midfield target, but the latest update suggests Chelsea will not pay his release clause.
Fernandez has made headlines in recent months after joining Benfica in the summer before starring in World Cup-winning Argentina in the winter.
Although his Benfica career is just beginning, Fernandez is already in talks of an upcoming move.
Liverpool were thought to be eyeing a midfield upgrade, but Chelsea have now established themselves as the 21-year-old’s most likely bidders.
reports suggest Fernandes would be happy to agree to a move to Chelseahe was able to sign him by enabling a €120m (£105.7m) release clause in his contract.
There were even claims that if Benfica allowed installment payments, he could submit a package worth more than his exit clause.
However, an update from daily telegraph He made it clear that he had little intention of paying the nine-figure amount.
Indeed, signing him using Fernandes’ exit clause would break English transfer records.
but, Telegraph Chelsea claim they ‘hope’ there will be a compromise with Benfica.
Enzo Fernandez ‘pushes hard’ for transfer
Fernandes is ‘strongly pushing’ for a move to Stamford Bridge. but, Claims he skipped Benfica training Clarifying his stance has been denied.
according to report, Benfica ready to sign him six months after his arrival. They will benefit greatly from doing so. Nevertheless, they are withholding payment for his release clause, not the negotiated price.
Other options Chelsea are considering include West Ham’s Declan Rice, Brighton’s Alexis Mack Allister (another member of the successful Argentina international) and Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.
If they have to wait until the summer for the right deal, they will.
Jorginho and N’Golo Kante have entered the final six months of their contracts. Chelsea, each now 31, may need to evolve their division soon.
Also, Denis Zakaria has been on loan from Juventus this season, but he hasn’t had many opportunities to play.
Therefore, they may be looking to invest in midfield in 2023. Hopefully they can acquire Fernandes on favorable terms.
Southampton sign Mithrab Orsic
Southampton are close to signing the first of the Nathan Jones era and could sign two more deals soon.
Southampton, currently bottom of the Premier League, will have to turn things around to avoid relegation. They have already replaced manager Ralph Hasenhuttle with Jones. Now they are looking into player adjustments.
according to Suna deal for them to sign Misraf Orsic from Dinamo Zagreb is “near”.
The attacking midfielder will pay them around £7.5million. After playing for Croatia at the World Cup, he finally got the chance to play in the Premier League.
The English side already know what he can do. After scoring a hat-trick against Tottenham in his league in Europe in 2020, Olsic scored goals against West Ham in the same competition last season and against Chelsea in his Champions League this season.
Now 30, the 30-year-old may be playing clubs of this sort regularly at Southampton.
After acquiring him, the Saints will turn their attention to Lorient striker Terem Mofi and racing club midfielder Carlos Alcaraz.
Contract talks with Moffi are already underway, but he has Udinese’s Beto in mind instead.
As for Alcaras, they are willing to offer £12m to beat the likes of Inter Milan and Benfica.
German winger passes Brentford Medical
It looks like a third stroke of luck for Brentford in pursuit of German attacking midfielder Kevin Schede.
according to TimesScheade has passed medical treatment with the Premier League club and is now “close” to getting his signature.
The report is a reminder of Brentford’s two unsuccessful bids for Schaede over the summer. The last of the pair was worth around £17 million.
Now, they have upped the stakes in January, betting £22m on current club Freiburg.
At just 21 years old, Schaade was promoted from Freiburg’s youth team to the first team. He has scored his 6 goals in his 36 appearances so far and for the German under-21 team he has scored 4 goals in 5 appearances.
Brentford are enjoying a positive second season in the Premier League so far. Most recently, they defeated Liverpool in his 3–1 win. As a result, they are in the top half of the Premier League.
Looking to establish itself in the top flight, Bees is looking for signatories to help grow the project.
Whether a winger or number 10, Schaade should soon become someone Thomas Frank can lean on.
