Blow for Chelsea as Portuguese club not open to selling 22-year-old forward in January with €150m release clause

Transfer News: Benfica not open to selling Chelsea target Darwin Nunez in January

According to Record via Sport Witness (h/t football.london), SL Benfica are not open to selling Chelsea transfer target Darwin Nunez in January.

The Uruguayan forward has made quite an impression since his move to Liga NOS. He was at his goal-scoring best against Barcelona when the Eagles dismantled them 3-0 in their UEFA Champions League group stage game.

Apparently, scouts from several clubs were present during the game, including Chelsea’s. However, the report mentions that the Portuguese side are unwilling to part ways with their star forward in January.

Moreover, they are believed to be relaxed about his situation considering his contract contains a massive €150million release clause. That amount of money is no pocket change even for a club like Chelsea.

Where to next for Nunez?

There is no real shortage of quality forwards at Stamford Bridger right now. Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner are able forwards while Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Christian Pulisic make for a very potent attack.

Most of the aforementioned players are relatively young as well, indicating that there is no urgent need of future-proofing the frontline despite the summer sales of Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud.

For now, the club’s focus should be to land the Premier League title. They have started this season in great form and are top of the league as of now.

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The club has already tasted European success with Thomas Tuchel and they would like to believe they have the firepower to translate that success domestically as well.