Chelsea are ramping up their interest in Sporting CP star Manuel Ugarte with personal terms also agreed
According to Fabrizio Romano, Premier League giants Chelsea are pushing hard to land Sporting CP star Manuel Ugarte in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Blues finished 12th in a season that gave them little joy and are keen to rekindle their role as one of the Premier League’s heavy hitters. With Mauricio Pochettino now confirmed as the new boss, a crucial summer awaits him and the Blues.
One position that needs reinforcing is in the defensive midfield. Jorginho’s exit last January leaves a hole in our roster given the uncertainty surrounding the futures of N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic. Enzo Fernandez has done a decent job but is better carrying the ball forward than being deployed as a midfield enforcer.
It is a role in which Ugarte excels in and has caught the eye of several of Europe’s top sides. The Uruguayan international is a combative presence in the middle of the park and a proven ball-winner who can help retain possession.
Understand Manuel Ugarte has been approved as target also by Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino 🚨🔵 #CFC
Chelsea are pushing in talks with club and player side, Jorge Mendes’ on it.
🇫🇷 PSG proposal, still valid on the table.
No decision yet, but Chelsea will keep insisting. pic.twitter.com/WEV6KXQkYm
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2023
Adding him to the Blues roster will free up Fernandez for attacking duties and also make life easier for the defence. Pochettino has already given Chelsea his blessings to land the 22-year-old and the ball is now in the club’s court. The likes of Moussa Dembele played a key role in Tottenham’s rise under Pochettino. Ugarte can employ a similar role at Chelsea, albeit at a higher level.
Chelsea are currently pushing for talks with the player and his agent Jorge Mendes. While personal terms have already been agreed upon, a decision is yet to be made by Sporting CP. The Blues remain hopeful that an agreement can be found.
French champions Paris Saint-Germain are also in the fray and have already tabled an offer for the South American. Les Parisiens have raided the Portuguese league in the recent past to land the likes of Vitinha and Nuno Mendes among others.
As things stand, Chelsea are a team in crisis and will need a proper rebuild. With no European football to look forward to, they could struggle to get one over the likes of PSG in the market. However, should they land Ugarte this summer, it will be nothing short of a coup.
