▲ Argentine soccer star Fernandez, just 22 years old, is about to join English Premier League giants Chelsea for a record-breaking NT$3.9 billion. (Photo/CFP)
Reported by Du Yijun
The 22-year-old Argentine midfield talent Enzo Fernandez, who became a star in the last World Cup, broke the big news on the 1st that he will move from Portuguese Premier League Benfica to English Premier League Chelsea for more than the highest transfer fee in the history of the Premier League - 120 million euros (about 3.9 billion Taiwan dollars), and the contract between the two sides will last until 2031.
Chelsea were willing to pay up to 120 million euros in liquidated damages to sign the young talent, a transfer fee that also surpassed Manchester City's record acquisition of Aston Villa's Jack Grealish for 100 million euros in 2021 as one of the most expensive transfers in Premier League history.
According to foreign media reports, Chelsea will pay the astronomical transfer fee in installments, with the first installment going to Benfica for 40 million euros. Fernandez had 10 successful scoops in the Qatar World Cup final against France, the most since Italy defender Gennaro Gattuso in 2006, and won the youngest player award at the tournament.
▲ Fernandes, who currently plays for Portuguese Premier League side Benfica, is a future star for Premier League side Chelsea. (Photo/CFP)
