Enzo's stay at Benfica is short as he joins Chelsea

Enzo Fernandez's stay at Benfica could not have been shorter as the Argentinian midfielder departs Lisbon for London to join Chelsea after just arriving in the summer from River Plate in what amounts to a record breaking Premier League fee paid by the English side for the 22 year old. Benfica will receive €121M plus interest on Chelsea's five installments to come, while receiving €45M up front to close the deal now.

Enzo Fernandez was far from a house hold name in most parts of the world until appearing at Benfica where he caught the eye of some of Europe's giants with his play. Enzo almost did not arrive at the club until this transfer window after Benfica and River Plate came to an agreement that he would remain in Argentina until River were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores, this luckily happened in early July in the round of 16.

Fernandez leaves Benfica after appearing in 29 games across all competitions, scoring four goals while setting up an additional seven, Benfica acquired Enzo in the summer for €10M with €8M in incentives in which €4M has already been paid to River Plate. Enzo was a key piece of Argentina's World Cup 2022 winning squad and was named the Young Player of the tournament increasing his value around the globe.

Fernandez's former club River Plate are entitled to 25% of the sale price and while Benfica have not replaced the out going midfielder they will be allowed to place bags of cash all around the field for the remainder of the season.

Nelson Semedo the next to return back home

Former Benfica right back Nelson Semedo is linked with a return back to Benfica following in the footsteps of the clubs recent loan acquisition Goncalo Guedes who joined the club for the remainder of the season. Semedo's contract with Wolverhampton is set to expire at seasons end and the 29 year old is rumoured to be ready to make his return to the Estadio da Luz after departing six seasons ago.

Benfica sold Semedo to Barcelona in the summer of 2017 for a cool €35.7M, Semedo has since then joined Wolverhampton in the summer of 2020 but all reports indicate that Semedo is set to come back to Portugal and Benfica is his preferred destination. Semedo appeared in 65 games for the club across all competitions before his departure, scoring three goals while setting up an additional twelve.

 

Benfica continue flurry of winter window moves

Benfica are cleaning house during the winter transfer window and have made a flurry of moves that have seen player departures pick up the pace over the last few days with the window deadline set to close in a weeks time in most of the major European leagues. Benfica are looking at making the club leaner and will count on younger players in the organization to fill in when required.

Benfica's recent departures in the last week: Updated 01/30/23

Helton Leite (Keeper) to Antalyaspor - Free Transfer

Tomas Tavares (Right Back) to Spartak Moscow - €3M

Gil Dias (Winger) to Stuttgart - €2M

German Conti (Center Back) to Lokomotiv Moscow - €1M in objectives

John Brooks (Center Back) to Hoffenheim - €500K

Joao Victor (Center Back) to Nantes - Loan (no buy option)

Henriques Araujo (Striker) to Watford - Loan (no buy option)

Benfica are said to have been negotiating a buy back clause on Tavares' deal to Spartak but it has not been disclosed if this was added to deal.

Benfica are also still working on deals that could see  Andre Almeida and Ferro all with new clubs in the next week, so stay tuned as the moves are coming fast and furious.