Chelsea are ahead of PSG in the race for €60 million-rated Manuel Ugarte, as the midfield dynamo prefers a Premier League move.
According to Record, Chelsea could lead the race for Manuel Ugarte after matching Paris Saint-Germain’s bid for the midfielder. The midfield dynamo’s €60 million release clause puts the ball in the player’s court. And the Sporting CP star is increasingly leaning towards the Premier League.
Manuel Ugarte has plenty of clubs chasing his signature following a sensational season with Sporting CP. He has played 47 times in all competitions for the Portuguese side and now looks set to make a big move to further his career.
A host of Premier League clubs are keen to sign the midfielder, with Chelsea one of those. Todd Boehly wants to keep spending and bring the right players despite a mammoth outlay in the last two windows. Signing a defensive midfielder and a new striker are their key objectives, with Ugarte a priority target.
Chelsea are at the crossroads to identify their top target for the No.6 role. They have reportedly opened talks with Brighton for Moises Caicedo. But the Ecuadorian midfielder also has interest from Arsenal. The north Londoners are current favourites to land him ahead of their rivals.
Chelsea want to keep their options open and have other targets in mind. Ugarte, one of them, has a straightforward release clause in his contract. The Uruguayan midfield dynamo now has the chance to make an important career decision.
The Stamford Bridge outfit may have the upper hand, considering Ugarte prefers a Premier League move. Chelsea and Newcastle United have stepped up their interest in the midfielder, as they are ready to pay his €60 million release clause.
PSG were the first to initiate contact with Sporting CP, and widespread reports suggested they had already made the offer. Luis Campos wants to continue building a project at the club, which may lose many of their flittering stars in the summer.
However, Chelsea are PSG’s biggest threat in the race for Ugarte, with the Blues matching their offer for the Uruguayan. The 22-year-old will have to make a choice now. Considering those clubs want to structure payments, things will also depend on Sporting.
Ugarte’s potential arrival at Chelsea could allow winter signing Enzo Fernandez to move a bit into the advanced role of the midfield two. The Blues see the €60 million-rated midfield dynamo as a solid acquisition and may go all out to convince him of a move to Stamford Bridge.
