Chelsea have made an aggressive play to land Fernandez in the winter transfer window and steal a march on Liverpool and Manchester United.
The midfielder, who won the Young Player of the Tournament in the World Cup, is not desperate for a move in the winter window.
But he has reportedly given his approval to a move to Chelsea despite Benfica wanting to keep him until the summer.
And according to Italian broadcaster Sportitalia, the Portuguese giants have been left annoyed by the way Chelsea have approached the signing.
Benfica are not too pleased that the Blues directly contacted the player’s camp over a transfer.
Chelsea are keen to skirt around the release clause issue and pay more but in a structured deal with favourable payment terms.
But the Portuguese giants are insistent that his €120m release clause needs to be paid in full.
Benfica are now digging in their heels after tensions arose between the two clubs and are prepared to keep Fernandez if the release clause is not paid.
