• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea target angers club after leaving without permission, a transfer is 'very close'

Home> Football

Updated 09:51 3 Jan 2023 GMTPublished 09:52 3 Jan 2023 GMT

Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea target angers club after leaving without permission, a transfer is 'very close'

Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea target Enzo Fernandez reportedly defied orders to not travel home for the New Year.

Chris Byfield

Chris Byfield

Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea target Enzo Fernandez reportedly defied orders to not travel home for the New Year - a move likely to anger his parent club Benfica.

Fernandez was one of the break-out stars of the World Cup. His performances in midfield for eventual champions Argentina saw him crowned the Young Player of the Tournament and put him on the radar of Europe’s biggest clubs.

United were rumoured to be interested while Liverpool were reported to have struck a pre-contract agreement with the star last month.

Advert

However, it seems Chelsea have won the race for the 21-year-old. The MailOnline claim the Blues have reportedly made a £112million offer to Benfica for Fernandez.

The proposal is above the youngster’s £106million buy-out clause, but would reportedly be paid in three instalments of £37.3m over three years.

The move is growing ever more likely after the Argentine reportedly defied club orders not to travel home for New Year.

Enzo Fernandez defies Benfica orders

Portuguese outlet A Bola claim Fernandez risked angering Benfica by defying orders not to travel home for the New Year.

Advert

The publication alleged that the act had been viewed as an attempt by the player and his agent to force a move from the club. The star is now said to be “increasingly unlikely” to remain at the Benfica, with Chelsea in hot pursuit.

Fernandez's manager Uriel Perez posted photos of the midfielder celebrating New Year’s Eve in Buenos Aires.

Perez wrote on Instagram: “How beautiful to say goodbye to 2022 and start 2023 in this way. Happy New Year everyone and stay positive from now on.”

Advert

Benfica fans responded angrily to the post, with the comments now having been turned off.

Roger Schmidt on Benfica rules

Fernandez returned to Benfica following the World Cup, with the player reportedly having been convinced to play in their 3-0 defeat to Braga on Friday night.

However, Benfica head coach Roger Schmidt claimed after the match the midfielder may have played his final game for the Eagles.

Advert

Moreover, when Schmidt was asked whether Fernandez would have permission to return to Argentina to celebrate the New Year, he insisted his squad would stay in Portugal to rest between matches.

The Benfica boss said via the MailOnline: “We are a professional football team, the rules are for all players.

“It is very important for all players to rest between games, to be ready for the next game. There are no exceptions to that.”

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Football, Benfica, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Enzo Fernandez, Transfers

Chris Byfield
Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

19 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • ODD ANDERSEN / Contributor via GettyODD ANDERSEN / Contributor via Getty
    19 mins ago

    UEFA Issue Statement on Reversing Russia's Ban from European Football

    UEFA have issued an update on Russia's enduring ban from football competitions.

    Football
  • GettyGetty
    an hour ago

    Man Utd Player Rejected Last-Ditch Move to Bayern Munich as Shock Bid Revealed

    Manchester United were busy on transfer deadline day.

    Football
  • GettyGetty
    2 hours ago

    UEFA President Confirms Stance on Israel Ban Amid Gaza Conflict

    UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has spoken out about calls to ban Israel amid the conflict with Palestine.

    Football
  • GettyGetty
    2 hours ago

    Erling Haaland Slams Club as Contracts Terminated

    The Manchester City striker called out his former club in a social media rant.

    Football
  • Barcelona block player from leaving after 'dizzying' offers from Man Utd and Chelsea
  • Man Utd keen to swap Chelsea player in Alejandro Garnacho transfer negotiations
  • Man Utd inserted secret clause in Alvaro Fernandez deal that could prevent Liverpool from signing Benfica star
  • Chelsea announce four players are leaving the club with 'five others placed on transfer list' in ruthless cull