Chelsea launch final attack to sign Enzo Fernandez and ‘fly to Lisbon to seal a deal’

Chelsea have told Benfica they will pay Enzo Fernandez’ £106million release clause in instalments as they look to secure his services before the January window closes, according to reports. 

Chelsea, who confirmed the £26.3m signing of Malo Gusto from Lyon on Sunday, had an offer of around £75m plus bonuses rejected for Fernandez earlier in the month.

Therefore, the Premier League giants will travel to Portugal on Monday to host a new round of talks with Benfica and offer to pay the 22-year-old’s £106m release clause in instalments. 

According to Futebol, Chelsea are sending a body of representatives out to Libson to close a deal with Benfica before the January transfer window closes. 

Chelsea will reportedly offer to pay the 22-year-old’s £106m release clause in instalments as they are under pressure to finalise a deal within the next 48 hours.

The decision comes after Benfica rejected Chelsea’s previous offer of around £75m plus bonuses earlier in the month.

Chelsea had also saw a bid with £112m – £6m more than his release clause – rejected as it was structured to be paid in three instalments.

Benfica wanted the full release clause to be paid up front, instead of Chelsea’s proposal where they would pay £37.3m over three years.

However, Chelsea are hoping they will be able to agree terms with the Portuguese side when they meet in Lisbon on Monday. 

Chelsea will reportedly offer to pay the 22-year-old’s £106million release clause in instalments

Fernandez has been very public in his attempts to leave the Portuguese club during the January transfer window. 

His stance remains unchanged and he has reiterated to Benfica that he wants them to strike a deal with Chelsea following their revived attempts to sign him.

However, sources have told Sportsmail that the payments in Chelsea’s latest proposal are considered by Benfica to be too spread out.

The Portuguese club…