Chelsea Target Benfica's Gedson Fernandes For Loan Move With Option To Retain

Chelsea are reportedly going after a Benfica player Gedson Fernandes for an 18-month loan move and also stands the opportunity of landing a £55 million permanent contract if he met with loan deal conditions.

The loan offer to Portuguese midfielder stipulates that he will be retained at Stanford Bridge provided he made not less than 50 percent of game appearances during the spell, according to Sky Sports.

West Ham are understood to have been in the race for the player ahead of Chelsea and have been in talks with Benfica for an 18-month loan move and much lesser contract conditions with an option to keep him permanently after the spell.

The 20-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Benfica and is currently struggling to get enough game time. Thus, to ease his exit, the Portuguese club has relaxed on his release clause since he has not been getting enough appearance.

Gedson started his footballing career at Benfica from the academy and was promoted to the senior team in the 2018/19 season and has since made 23 appearances.