Chelsea, eventually, secured a record fee for Enzo Fernandez on deadline day.
The World Cup winner nearly didn’t sign for the Blues amid disagreements over how the payment would be structured.
Chelsea want to pay the transfer fee over five years, whilst Benfica were looking to have the reported £106.4m paid in three instalments across two years.
As a result, Chelsea were looking at alternative options in case a Fernandez deal fell through.
According to a report from Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, Chelsea tried to sign Nico Barella when they were having difficulties securing an agreement with Benfica for Enzo Fernandez.
But Inter Milan were unwilling to sell Barella during the January transfer window and Chelsea’s enquiry was met with a resounding no from club chiefs.
Barella is as top midfielder and it is no surprise that top clubs are keen on securing his services. It will be interesting to see if the Blues decide to return with an offer for the Italian international at the end of the season.
Chelsea are expected to lose N’Golo Kante on a free transfer and they will need to bring in midfield reinforcements at the end of the season as well.
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