Benfica president Rui Costa has warned suitors for World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez that he will not be sold for less than his £120m (£106m) release clause.
90 Minutes understands that Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have all approached Benfica in recent weeks to inquire about a deal for Fernandez, who Manchester City also wooed during his time with River Plate in Argentina. What was the track? Real Madrid is linked with another club.
Sources have confirmed that those suitors have been privately warned that he will not be sold in January unless his release clause is triggered, and Costa has now publicly This position has been reiterated.
“We don’t want to sell Enzo Fernandez in January, but in case of an offer of €120m we are ready to satisfy the boy,” Costa told DAZN.
Reports in Portugal claim that Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has spoken to Fernandez in person to try and convince him to stay beyond January, but the boss played down the rumors in his latest press conference. Refused to confirm.
“You always run the risk of losing players. [in January]Schmidt admitted when asked if he was worried about losing Fernandez.
“I can’t reveal my conversations. When I talk to the players, these are things that I keep to myself. What I can say is what I’ve already said. We all Know how football is. These young players have opportunities, not just Enzo. If they have opportunities, they need to make decisions and I respect them.
“I can give them advice, but they only have one career. If I can convince them or influence them in a certain way, I try to do that, but I accept their decisions. will do.”