Amid Chelsea interest, Benfica condemn 'disrespectful' Fernandez approach / Photo: FRANCK FIFE - AFP
-
Murray out with concussion so Wentz will start for Vikings
-
Springboks to face Fiji before 2027 Rugby World Cup
-
UN chief 'deeply regrets' US visa refusal to Abbas for annual meeting
-
Nigeria miners struggled to breathe in cell before 37 died: survivors
-
England quick Carse to face no charges over alleged nightclub assault
-
McIlroy on the charge at PGA Championship as Reed withdraws
-
Mancini brings nine newcomers into the first squad of his Italy comeback
-
McIlroy on the charge at PGA Championship
-
Czechs level Davis Cup tie against USA as South Korea eye Finals
-
Crisis-wracked Volkswagen warns of 10-bn-euro hit to profits
-
New France boss Zidane confirms Mbappe as captain after naming first squad
-
Costa Rica's Grynspan tops third informal poll for UN chief: diplomat
-
California governor signs order to explore AI 'kill switch'
-
Stock markets retreat after central bank rate hikes
-
Head leads run spree as Australia win Zimbabwe ODI series
-
Russia labels director of Cannes Grand Prix winner a 'foreign agent'
-
In-form Raphinha wants to finish career at Barcelona
-
Macron warns of Russian 'hybrid' threat after meeting presidential hopefuls
-
Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman
-
UN holds third informal poll for new chief
-
Carrick confident Man Utd can 'work through' tough time
-
Kulusevski return can spark Spurs: De Zerbi
-
Mbappe ends Nike partnership to join Swiss brand On
-
Shakira to cap off world tour with Madrid 12-gig run
-
Liverpool boss Iraola puts Bournemouth love affair on hold
-
Isolated Syrian-Druze city blames Damascus for shortages
-
'A disaster' if Man City do not win says Maresca after flawless start
-
Isolated Syrian-Druze city shortages
-
Kerry James Marshall: American 'blackness' painter celebrated in Europe
-
Dutch drop Depay for Germany match in Xavi's first pick
-
Spain coach De la Fuente offers 'full support' to people of Ceuta
-
Ronaldo named in Portugal squad for Nations League
-
Russia seizes assets of Nestle, French firms over West's Ukraine support
-
Stock markets diverge after central bank rate hikes
-
England can build on World Cup 'spirit', says Tuchel
-
Anti-Assad music star makes triumphant return to Syria
-
UNESCO can be 'moderator' in AI debate: chief to AFP
-
In-form Fernandez included in Spain Nations League squad
-
Infantino 'must go', says German FA vice-president
-
Arteta buries hatchet with Hurzeler ahead of Brighton clash
-
Russia seizes assets of Nestle, French firms
-
Alexander-Arnold and Palmer return to England squad for Nations League
-
Japan's busiest rail station tests robot bins
-
Russians vote as Ukraine war drags on for fifth year
-
Anthropic says AI systems moving towards building themselves
-
Backpackers fret over Australian visa crackdown
-
Asian stocks boosted by falling oil, yen weakens after BoJ rate hike
-
Most Asian stocks track Wall St rally, yen drops after BoJ rate hike
-
Pakistan court blocks expulsion of Afghan medical college students
-
Russians begin voting in controlled election as war drags on
Amid Chelsea interest, Benfica condemn 'disrespectful' Fernandez approach
Benfica coach Roger Schmidt said the club have no intention of selling Argentine World Cup star Enzo Fernandez for less than his buy-out clause amid reported interest from Chelsea.
"There is a club who want our player," Schmidt said, without naming Chelsea.
"They know that we don't want to sell the player, they try to get the player on their side" with "a lot of money".
Fernandez, who joined Benfica from River Plate in the summer has a 120 million euro ($126 million) buy-out clause in his contract, and Schmidt said the bidding club was trying to avoid paying that.
"To make the player crazy and then to pretend they can pay the clause, and later they want to negotiate.
"They try to get the player on their side. It's disrespectful against all of us, against Benfica and I cannot accept what they are doing.
"There is a lot of money on the table. It confuses you a little bit," Schmidt said of the player who has missed training in an extended stay in Argentina.
The 21-year-old was voted best young player at the World Cup after breaking into the side out in Qatar.
Chelsea have been struggling this season under new chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali.
The club sit 10th in the Premier League, ten points off fourth placed Man United at the halfway stage of the season.
The Londoners bought France international defender Benoit Badiashile from Ligue 1 side Monaco on Thursday.
J.Gomez--AT
