Manuel Ugarte to Chelsea transfer: Offer submitted, player stance, PSG advantage, Pochettino call

Chelsea transfer target Manuel Ugarte is being heavily linked with a move away from Sporting CP this summer and new Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino is keen on the midfielder

Chelsea remain locked in talks to sign Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte this summer. Mauricio Pochettino has given the green light for the Blues to pursue a deal for the 22-year-old.

football.london understands the Argentine wants to add a new goalkeeper, central midfielder and striker to the squad after Pochettino signed a two-year deal at Stamford Bridge – with the option of a further year. Ugarte is said to have a £52million release clause included in his current deal at Sporting and the Uruguayan talent has been scouted on several occasions by the Blues throughout the season.

The futures of Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante remain in doubt ahead of next season with Moises Caicedo among the options being considered by Chelsea. With that said, football.london has rounded up the latest news linking Ugarte with a summer move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea submit improved Manuel Ugarte offer

Chelsea have now increased their salary offer to Ugarte after tabling an opening proposal of a £2million wage package, according to Record. The Blues have now offered a €3.5million (£3million) salary with various performance-based incentives and bonuses.

Chelsea will feel confident of landing Manuel Ugarte’s signature this summer after reports stated that the Sporting CP star would favour joining the Blues over Paris Saint-Germain.

According to Record in Portugal, Chelsea are offering £62million plus £4million in add-ons for Ugarte (rather than pay his £52million release clause up front), who is also attracting strong interest from PSG. Yet it’s also claimed the Blues have floated loaning striker David Datro Fofana as part of the proposal in a bid to beat the French giants to the punch.

Salary problem

Manuel Ugarte currently favours a move to Chelsea over Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports, but that could soon change.

Both interested clubs are offering similar package deals to Sporting CP which makes personal terms an important factor and PSG look to currently be leading that race.

As per Portuguese outlet Record, the Parisians are offering €5million (£4.3million), while Chelsea are putting forward €2million (£1.7million), with both offers tax free.

Pochettino call

Mauricio Pochettino is desperate to make Manuel Ugarte his first Chelsea signing but faces competition from his former club Paris Saint-Germain.

According to Record in Portugal, the Argentine has personally called the Sporting CP midfielder to try and convince him to choose Stamford Bridge over Paris.

Mauricio Pochettino approves £52m deal

According to Fabrizio Romano, Pochettino has approved a move for Ugarte as he looks to add a new midfielder to the Chelsea squad. The Blues are now pushing to sign the Uruguay international with talks planned with the player and Sporting CP.

Chelsea contract ‘agreed’

Uruguayan transfer insider Franco Fernandez claims that Chelsea are the frontrunners to acquire Ugarte’s services and that a deal could be thrashed out as early as next week. He tweeted: “Manuel Ugarte was on the bench [against Vizela], he did not see minutes waiting for his future for the transfer period. His arrival at Chelsea could be confirmed next week.”

Sporting stance

Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has already admitted it is hard for the Portuguese club to keep hold of Ugarte this summer with clubs across Europe registering an interest in signing the midfielder. The 22-year-old has a £52million release clause in his contract which PSG and Chelsea are willing to match, according to the Express.

“I cannot comment on this issue, because it is beyond me. Now, we know that it is difficult to keep players like Ugarte,” Amorim told Ojogo.

“Not just one club is interested, but several. Our objective is to sell, knowing that we missed the Champions League and it makes everything more difficult.

“I know what I want for the team and I have already conveyed that to the management.”

Chelsea payment plan

Following Chelsea’s decision to prepare an offer for Sporting CP’s Manuel Ugarte, the Blues could hold a distinct advantage with the selling club.

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, in addition to paying his release clause, Chelsea will offer several bonuses to Sporting CP.

Salary decision

Just 24 hours after PSG’s intent to sign Manuel Ugarte was made clear, Chelsea have also agreed to the same proposal as the French club.

As per Record, the salary proposals from each team will prove decisive in Ugarte’s camp determining which side he signs for this summer.

PSG meet release clause

Paris Saint-Germain look to have taken the lead in the transfer race to sign Manuel Ugarte from Sporting CP in the summer window

On Thursday, it was claimed by Record in Portugal that Ugarte is close to joining PSG after the Parisians made a €60million (£51million) bid which met his release clause.

Premier League desire

Sporting CP star Manuel Ugarte would like to move to the Premier League this summer if a move away from Portugal is sanctioned.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham are among the English clubs to have shown an interest in signing the midfielder.

Liverpool interest

Liverpool have held a long-standing interest in Manuel Ugarte with a significant midfield rebuild looking likely to take place at Anfield this summer.

Fellow Uruguay international Darwin Nunez could end up playing a key role in Ugarte’s summer decision by convincing him to join him at Liverpool.