The Argentina national team returns after the World Cup (video editing: Nir Chen)
Early in the morning (Wednesday) Chelsea completed its crazy transfer window, when it closed the purchase deal of Enso Fernandez and paid Benfica Lisbon 121 million euros for the Argentinian midfielder - according to the official announcement of the Portuguese.
About 25 percent of the sales fee will be transferred to River Plate, the former team of the talented midfielder, who signed a long-term contract until the summer of 2031.
Fernandez was very impressive during the World Cup and was one of the heroes in the victory of the Argentine team in the tournament, and was even named the best young player of the World Cup.
Just two weeks ago he celebrated his 22nd birthday, and according to reports in Argentina, Chelsea's contract with the footballer is for eight and a half years.
This is the biggest deal in the history of the Premier League, with Fernandes breaking the record set by Manchester City last summer when they signed Jack Grealish for 117 million euros.
It should be noted that only last summer Fernandez moved to Portugal after Benfica paid 10 million euros for him to River Plate.
no pressure.
Anso in the new uniform (photo: official website, from Twitter)
This deal completes the unusual window, also in terms of England and Chelsea (even during the Abramovich era): in total, the Blues signed eight players in January for a total amount of about 330 million euros.
Fernandez was joined in January by Mihailo Modric (70 million), Benoit Badiachile (38), Noni Maduaka (35), Malo Gusto (30), Andrey Santos (12.5), Datro Popana (12) and Joao Felix (11, on loan).
The one who still earns a huge amount from the deal is River Plate, which still owns 25 percent of the midfielder's player card.
The meaning: just for the sale River will receive 30 million euros.
But that's not all: as part of the contract, she was guaranteed bonuses from Benfica for a number of goals and appearances, and in total she received another 52 million euros for him - all in just six months!
He has now become the most expensive Argentine of all time, surpassing Pipita Higuain (90 million, from Napoli to Juventus) and Angel Di Maria (75 million, from Real Madrid to Manchester United).
sport
world football
Tags
Enso Fernandez
Issued in Lisbon
River Plate