Enzo Fernandez has been left out of Benfica's matchday squad for Friday's Primeira Liga match with Portimonense after Roger Schmidt's criticism of suitors Chelsea.
Fernandez's excellent World Cup displays for Argentina in Qatar have attracted interest from a range of top clubs, with Chelsea thought to be close to his signing at one stage this week.
But the Blues' reported refusal to meet the midfielder's release clause provided a stumbling block, which is said to be a huge £106million (€120m).
However, the transfer, which would have made Fernandez a record signing for a Premier League club, reportedly hit a stumbling block on Wednesday after the Blues tried to negotiate a lower fee.
Benfica head coach Schmidt said Chelsea's approach showed "a lack of respect" to his club, suggesting the Premier League side were trying to "drive the player crazy".
Fernandez had already missed numerous Benfica training sessions having returned to Argentina without the club's permission, but Schmidt has insisted they do not wish to sell the 21-year-old.
On Friday, Schmidt chose to leave Fernandez out of the team for an important fixture at home to eighth-placed Portimonense.
League leaders Benfica are in need of a positive result having been thumped 3-0 by closest challengers Braga last week, a first defeat of the season that closed their lead at the top to just three points.
Fernandez started in that match, with Schmidt revealing afterwards he was unsure if it would be his last game for the club, having only joined from River Plate last year.
Nashville SC v San Jose Earthquakes: ‘A win would change everything’ - Godoy
Anibal Godoy insists that Nashville are already looking at their game against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday as a must-win.
Nashville have won just once in the MLS this season and sit in 14th place in the Eastern Conference after a run of four without a win.
The Earthquakes, meanwhile, are bottom of the Western Conference having lost eight of their matches and recording just one win.
Godoy is aware of how their poor start to the season could affect their playoff hopes later down the line but is confident that Nashville can turn things around.
He said: “For us, it's an important week. It's a day we have to win, or we'll start to feel the pressure from other teams as they start to separate in the table.
“This league is long but if we want to get to the playoff you have to win games early on, especially at home.”
Liverpool agree compensation deal for Slot
Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle over a compensation deal for Arne Slot to become the Reds’ manager next season, according to widespread Dutch media reports.
The Dutchman is reportedly poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.
It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.
Former Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim were also reported contenders to take over from Klopp.
Slot had already confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League, both earlier this week and previously when he was linked to Tottenham in 2023.
QPR 4-0 Leeds United: Shock loss for Farke's men seals Leicester's promotion
QPR thrashed Leeds United 4-0 in the Championship on Friday, ensuring Leicester City booked their promotion straight back to the Premier League.
Ilias Chair was the star for the Hoops as he scored the opener and assisted two more goals to ensure QPR will stay in the Championship for another season.
Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field also got their names on the scoresheet in an emphatic win for Marti Cifuentes' side.
Leeds' heaviest defeat of the season was a huge blow in the race for an automatic promotion spot, with Ipswich Town just one point behind them in third place with two games in hand going into their away clash against Hull City on Saturday.
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