World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez has agreed to leave Benfica and join Chelsea, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Blues are now in “direct talks” with the Portuguese side and are preparing a huge transfer offer for the Argentina midfielder, who has a €120 million release clause in his contract.

Romano tweeted: “Chelsea are now in direct talks with Benfica for Enzo Fernández. Chelsea want to offer huge fee instead of paying release clause in one solution. Benfica always asked full €120m clause.

“Understand Enzo already said yes to Chelsea. Liverpool or Manchester United made no bid, as of now.”

Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has been asked about the speculation surrounding Fernandez and told reporters he will respect the Argentina international’s decision on his future.

“Until December 31 we are sure that we have all the players and nobody can leave. Then the market opens up and when you have players with great talent, you always run the risk of losing players,” he said.

“These young players sometimes have opportunities. It’s not just Enzo, it’s all the players. It’s part of the football business. If they have opportunities, they have to make decisions.

“I can give them advice and recommendations. But I always respected the players’ decisions, because they only have one career.”