Portuguese Benfica announced the transfer of Argentine Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea, the Premier League competitor, for 106.8 million pounds ($ 131.46 million), in a British record deal.

Benfica confirmed - in a statement - that it had reached an agreement with Chelsea to pay the value of the penalty clause in the contract of the World Cup-winning player with Argentina, who signed for 8 and a half seasons.

Thus, Chelsea spent more than 300 million pounds ($ 370 million) during the winter transfers alone.

OFFICIAL: Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea, signed and completed.

🔵🇦🇷

Club statement confirm €121m deal plus extra costs — also, River Plate will receive 25% of it.

Enzo has signed a contract valid until June 2031. pic.twitter.com/nbnkdNAPrt

- Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2023

Chelsea did not announce the deal, but Sky Sports confirmed that the work paper was submitted on time before the winter transfer window closed.

And the media indicated that the "Blues" would pay the value of the deal in several instalments.

The deal will exceed ÂŁ100m, which is what Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021.

Fernandez played a role in Argentina's crowning of the World Cup in Qatar, where the 22-year-old player participated in all matches, and was awarded the best young player in the tournament.

Fernandez moved to Benfica last year from Argentine River Plate.

He played 29 matches with the Portuguese team in all competitions, scoring 4 goals and assisting 7.

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Fernandez is the eighth player to join Chelsea in the winter transfer window, and all new players are under the age of 23:

  • Mykhailo Modric

  • They built Badiachel

  • Noni Madueki

  • Andre Santos

  • David Fofana

  • Malo Justo

  • Joao Felix (loan from Atletico Madrid)

  • Enzo Fernandez

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    With the deal completed, the total that Chelsea has paid since the acquisition of the club by an investment group led by Todd Boley and Clearlake Capital in May will be more than 600 million pounds ($ 739 million).

    Chelsea ranks tenth in the league, 10 points behind the Golden Square, and hosts Fulham in the league next Friday.