Chelsea had a "jet ready" to bring Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez to Stamford Bridge on deadline day morning, journalist Simon Phillips has told GIVEMESPORT.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update
The Argentina international is the subject of intense transfer speculation, with the Blues locked in talks with their Portuguese counterparts over a deal to bring him to the Premier League this month.
Chelsea Transfer News - Enzo Fernandez
After suggestions earlier in the window that Chelsea had disrespected Benfica with the way they appeared to negotiate a deal for Fernandez, the last couple of days have seen Graham Potter's side reemerge as serious suitors for the midfielder.
Todd Boehly and co have already managed to pull off a number of significant deals in this January transfer window, luring the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Benoit Badiashile among others to Stamford Bridge.
The latest reports overnight from Sky Sports suggested that Chelsea were confident of finally bringing Fernandez, but it appears there is now a spanner in the works.
What did Phillips say about Chelsea's move for Enzo Fernandez?
Phillips indicated that Chelsea were under the impression that a deal for Fernandez would be done by this morning, and had already made preparations on announcing him.
He said: "It's a fast-moving situation and it could change at any moment. I've just been told that Chelsea had a jet ready to bring Enzo to London this morning and the club had been working on preparing the announcement for the deal.
"Obviously Chelsea thought this would be done by then but it hasn't been yet and it's still not done. Talks are ongoing as of this moment in time. Benfica have not given a direct no to the offer but more to the terms and the structure of the deal. That's where it's lagging at the moment. Chelsea haven't walked away yet at the time of saying this. But they might soon walk away and turn to alternatives. Decisive moments right now."
Boehly must make one final Chelsea push for Enzo Fernandez
Having opened the door for Jorginho to make the move across London to rivals Arsenal, it becomes unquestionable that Chelsea bring in a quality midfielder themselves before the end of the deadline later tonight.
The longer this saga rumbles on with Fernandez, the bigger the risk Chelsea take of potentially not signing anyone and leaving themselves woefully short in a very important part of the squad for Potter.
The club of course remain in the Champions League this season, and while finishing in the top four of the Premier League looks slightly out of reach right now, signing Fernandez would give them a huge boost heading into European football's elite competition in the coming months.
It's time for Boehly to work his magic one last time and put his money where his mouth is when it comes to Fernandez.