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Benfica have rejected a €100m (£88m) transfer offer from an unnamed club for star midfielder and Liverpool and Real Madrid target Enzo Fernandes, according to Portuguese news outlet Record.
Benfica president Rui Costa insists that Fernandes‘ €120m (£106m) release clause must be met before he can negotiate with another club or he will not leave the Luz Stadium.
Liverpool have been eyeing Fernandes for months, while Real Madrid are also keen to sign him. However, it is unclear which mystery club made the €100m bid.
The Argentine only joined Benfica from River Plate in the summer and the deal could rise to €18m if all the terms of his contract are met. Just six months later, Benfica are on track to make a €100m profit.
Understandably, Benfica are also in no rush to sell. After signing with the club in July 2022, Fernandes agreed a five-year contract, which runs until the summer of 2027.
With four-and-a-half years left on the deal, the Portuguese giants will only sell if his release clause is met.
Fernandes played every minute of Argentina’s World Cup knockout stages, helping the South American side to eventual glory in Qatar. The 21-year-old also impressed at the World Cup, picking up the tournament’s Young Player of the Year award after beating France in the final.
In fact, he scored the group stage goal in Argentina’s second game against Mexico, a must-win as they lost their opening game to Saudi Arabia. Fernandes’ effort into the top corner made it 2-0, crucial for his country’s progress to the last 16 and eventual lift of the World Cup trophy.
He has scored one goal and provided three assists in 13 appearances so far in his debut season in Portugal’s La Liga, while his performances in the Champions League have helped Benfica edge out a group that included Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
Transfermarkt says Enzo Fernandes has a market capitalization of €35m (£30m).
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