Chelsea and Newcastle United are ready to pay €60 million for 22-year-old star Manuel Ugarte, with Paris Saint-Germain also keen.
According to Football Insider, Chelsea have been scouting the player regularly. Journalist Santi Aouna adds that the Blues and Newcastle United are ready to step up their pursuit of Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte. The Premier League sides are reportedly ready to pay €60 million for the 22-year-old star, but there’s intense competition from Paris Saint-Germain for the midfielder.
Manuel Ugarte has made a lasting impression on many top clubs with his relentless midfield performances for Sporting CP this season. He has played in 47 games across all competitions and is seemingly ready for a new challenge at a bigger club.
Ugarte particularly caught the eye when playing against English opposition in European competition. He was a standout performer against Tottenham and Arsenal, putting some high-profile sides in the frame. The 22-year-old tends to operate in the No.6 or the defensive midfield role.
Chelsea have pulled into top contention for Ugarte after extensive scouting of the midfielder. Todd Boehly will continue to spend on the right players when the transfer window opens, but his priority is to bring a midfield partner for Enzo Fernandez and a new striker.
🚨🔴🔵🇺🇾 #Ligue1 |
◉ Le PSG a proposé 60M€ au Sporting pour Ugarte. Paris veut payer cette somme en plusieurs fois.
◉ Campos et J.Mendes ont déjà un accord de principe.
◉ Chelsea et Newcastle ont également informé le Sporting qu'ils étaient prêts à payer 60M€ pour Ugarte. pic.twitter.com/VIZ0C2ll3p
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) May 25, 2023
Signing Ugarte would allow Fernandez to operate in his preferred midfield position slightly further than the No.6. Chelsea are ready to pay €60 million for the 22-year-old, his release clause at Sporting CP. Boehly will certainly want to pay the fee in instalments, something other clubs are also ready to do.
Paris Saint-Germain have been in the news with regards to Ugarte recently. Luis Campos has identified the midfielder as the right player to come in during the summer, and they are ready to pay €60 million for the 22-year-olds, but in instalments.
For Sporting, it’s a good opportunity to cash in, but they would ideally want a significant chunk up front. Rivalling PSG and Chelsea, there’s Newcastle United, who are ready to bid for Ugarte. As per journalist Santi Aouna, the Magpies and the Blues have signalled the intent to pay up the release clause.
Eddie Howe will need a new midfielder in the window as he plans to lead his team into the Champions League. Ugarte comes in with a European pedigree that could help Newcastle United next season. However, as things stand, the race is on for the 22-year-old in this window.
Ultimately the decision will be Ugarte’s in choosing his next club. Chelsea may feel aggravated if the 22-year-old rejects them for a Champions League-playing side, which could put Newcastle United and PSG as front runners.