Enzo Fernandez insists he is not thinking about a move away from Benfica amid links with Newcastle United.
What’s the latest Newcastle United transfer news?
The Benfica midfielder is a man in demand following his World Cup success with Argentina.
Handed the Young Player Award in Qatar following a series of impressive performances, the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool have been linked alongside Newcastle.
Indeed, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola, the Lisbon giants are fearful Newcastle – who are chasing Champions League qualification – will trigger the 21-year-old’s £105m release clause after having an £88m offer reportedly snubbed.
What has Fernandez said about his future?
Speaking to Globo, Fernandez said: “I don’t know anything about that [his immediate future]. It’s up to my agent, I don’t want to get involved. I’m focused on Benfica, in a few days we have an important game. I have a flight at night to play in the game on Friday.”
Will Newcastle sign Enzo Fernandez in January?
As talented as Fernandez is, it’s difficult to see Newcastle spending that kind of money in the January transfer window.
The reported fee is well over the £60m paid for Alexander Isak to set a new club record and both The Athletic and The Daily Telegraph both suggest the upcoming will be a rather understated one.
There’s also the competition to consider. According to the Daily Record, Chelsea are willing to pay a club-record transfer fee to land Fernandez, while Marca (via Anfield Express) claim Liverpool have turned to him ahead of the (supposedly) Real Madrid-bound Jude Bellingham.
As good as Newcastle have been this season, it’d be a huge ask to beat off the top table this early into the club’s new project even if Newcastle were going to spend over £100m on a player mid-season for the first time in their history.
