Enzo Fernandez pulled out ‘I’m staying’ celebration after scoring on Benfica return

Enzo Fernandez dropped a huge hint that he is likely to stay with Benfica as he pulled out the ‘I’m staying’ celebration after scoring on his return.

Fernandez, who impressed many during Argentina’s stunning World Cup win in Qatar has been strongly linked with a move away.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a host of clubs including the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Chelsea were thought to be the front runners for a deal worth £112 million for Fernandez. However, as the Argentine returned to action for Benfica against Varzim, he dropped a huge hint about his future.

After finishing off a fine move with a first-time finish, Fernandez celebrated in front of the Benfica fans. He patted the club badge, pointed to himself then pointed to the ground to gesture that he is going to stay.

Benfica manager Roger Schmidt said after the match that he expects Fernandez to stay with the club.

He told reporters: “I can say that I expect Enzo Fernández to stay, so to have Enzo at the end of the market... I never doubted Enzo, his attitude and personality. He's a great person, he's at Benfica and he loves playing for Benfica.”

Last week, Schmidt released a strongly worded statement about an unnamed club’s bid to sign Fernandez.

He said: “There’s a club who want our player. They know we don’t want to sell the player.

“They try to get the player on their side and they know that they can only get this player when they pay the [release] clause. So it’s a very clear situation, what the club is doing who wants to buy Enzo.

“It’s disrespectful against all of us, against Benfica and I cannot accept what they are doing.

“So to make the player crazy and then pretend they can pay the clause and later they want to negotiate, I think it’s not what I understand about a good relationship between clubs who maybe want to discuss a player.

“That’s what I can say about the whole topic with Enzo and I will not answer further consequential questions.”

Chelsea meanwhile are said to be closing in on a loan deal to bring Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix to Stamford Bridge.