Chelsea, Man United make big moves on deadline day
Sports Desk, Jan 31 (EFE).- As the clock ticked toward midnight on Tuesday, Chelsea agreed to pay Benfica a whopping 106.8 million pounds ($131 million) for 22-year-old striker Enzo Fernandez, while Manchester United acquired midfielder Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich.
Fernandez was acclaimed the best young player of the 2022 World Cup for his vital contributions to Argentina’s triumph in Qatar.
He has appeared in 17 matches for Benfica since coming over from River Plate, who will get a portion of the largest transfer fee ever paid by a Premier League club.
The Argentine signed a contract to remain at Stamford Bridge through the end of June 2031.
United reached out to Bayern about Sabitzer after learning that the injury suffered by Christian Eriksen last weekend in an FA Cup tie will keep the Dane sidelined for months.
“Sometimes in life you have to make quick and important decisions. From the moment I heard about this opportunity I knew it was right for me,” the 28-year-old Austrian international said after his move to Old Trafford became official.
The perennial Bundesliga champions made the first big splash of transfer deadline day, announcing the arrival of Joao Cancelo on loan from Manchester City.
The Portuguese fullback is eager for more playing time than he has been getting this season with the defending Premier League champions and Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann had long had his eye on Cancelo.
Current Premier League leaders Arsenal picked up veteran midfielder Jorginho from Chelsea for 12 million pounds ($14.78 million).
In his 4 1/2 seasons with the Blues, the Brazil-born Italian international has won the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Supercup and Club World Cup.
Tottenham Hotspur picked up Spanish defender Pedro Porro from Sporting CP on a loan deal that includes a clause requiring the London side to purchase the player for 45 million euros ($48.9 million).
Meanwhile, Spurs terminated the contract of defender Matt Doherty and he immediately signed with Atletico Madrid.
Paris Saint-Germain sent goalkeeper Keylor Navas, 36, to Nottingham Forest on loan. The Costa Rican international lifted the Champions League trophy on three occasions during his tenure as starter with Real Madrid. EFE id-rz-cmg/dr
