Barely six months ago, Enzo Fernandez was a low-profile Argentina midfielder unknown to most casual football fans. When Benfica signed him from River Plate last summer for a miserly 10 million euros ($10.8 million), no one took notice of the transfer as the 22-year-old even had no experience of European football in his fledgling career.

Within half a year, however, Fernandez made his presence felt by leading his new club to a 22-match unbeaten run, outshined established superstars in the group stage of this season's Champions League, helped his home nation win its first World Cup in 36 years, and was deservedly named the Best Young Player of the tournament in Qatar.

No wonder English juggernaut Chelsea are willing to splurge over 10 times what Benfica paid for Fernandez in July to secure his services in the current winter transfer window.

According to multiple British and Argentinian media outlets, Chelsea have bid 120 million euros for the breakout talent in a move that would make him the most expensive Premier League signing ever.

TyC Sports revealed that Fernandez has agreed terms with Chelsea and already told Benfica that he wants to leave. Sky Sports added that Chelsea had offered players on loan to add to the deal but Benfica refused to accept anything except the release clause figure. The two clubs were locked in tense negotiations in recent days but there is a growing hope that the deal will go through.

Earlier this month, Portuguese sports newspaper Record claimed that Benfica, who are under no obligation or financial pressure to sell, have been trying to persuade Fernandez to sign a new contract. But their head coach Roger Schmidt admitted that his club could not stop the Argentine wunkderkind from leaving if the release clause is met.

"We all know that we have a situation with Enzo that he has a clause in the contract, so that means if the player wants to and there's a club who pays this amount of money, you cannot stop that," the former Beijing Guoan boss told a press briefing.

"We will see what happens in the next two days and I'm happy when the transfer window is closed and we can focus completely on the players in the squad and we can try to play a top season," he added.

Despite the potentially large amount of transfer fee involved, luring Fernandez into joining Chelsea this month looks a shrewd move. The dependable Argentine could offer the club a much-needed boost for an injury-hit midfield, which has been a major weakness of the misfiring team this campaign. 

It is quite clear how brilliant Fernandez is now. Just halfway through his first season with Benfica, Fernandez has notched the second-most assists in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, and created 30 goal-scoring chances for his teammates. At international level, he was one of the most eye-catching player in the World Cup, constantly reading the danger and delivering the ball to Lionel Messi in positions where the Argentina captain could be at his most unstoppable.

There is no doubt that 120 million euros would be an astounding investment on a youngster with just over 100 professional appearances to his name. But he had what it takes to make a huge impact in the Chelsea midfield, providing a blend of creativity and tidiness in possession and defensive solidity out of it.

For a club that are still coming to terms with a turbulent year of changes with ownership and manager, Fernandez could be the incredible talent and catalyst that Chelsea urgently need to restore them to their former glory.