Chelsea have reportedly informed Sporting Lisbon that they are prepared to pay Manuel Ugarte’s £52million release clause, as the Blues make a last-ditch effort to beat Paris Saint-Germain to his signature.
Reports in France and Portugal on Thursday claimed that PSG were on the brink of completing a move for the Uruguayan midfielder. Lisbon-based newspaper Correio da Manha said Ugarte would sign a five-year contract to join the French champions. This followed PSG informing Ugarte’s agent Jorge Mendes that they would trigger the £52m clause in his contract.
Brazilian journalist Bruno Andrade has reported that Chelsea remain in the race for Ugarte, with the Blues having recently flown a representative to Lisbon. The club are claimed to have told Sporting that they will also meet the clause, leaving Ugarte to decide between the two clubs.
Chelsea had watched Ugarte as they considered making a move for the defensive midfielder. Ugarte has impressed during his second season at Sporting, with the midfielder making 47 appearances in all competitions. The 22-year-old joined Sporting for just over £5million in the summer of 2021 from fellow Portuguese side Famalicao.
He has since made 85 appearances for the club, while he also has eight caps for Uruguay. Mendes had been talking to several Premier League clubs over a potential move for Ugarte. Liverpool and Newcastle United have watched Ugarte this season but are believed to be working on other priorities as it stands.
