Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has reportedly made a bid to sign Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte, and Chelsea is “absolutely” in the running, according to football journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Uruguay international has impressed in Portugal since joining Famalicao from CA Fenix in January 2021, and he established himself as a terrific defensive midfielder upon his transfer to Sporting. However, it appears that Ugarte is likely to leave Sporting at the end of the season, with PSG triggering his €60m release clause.
It is not a done deal yet, but PSG has made an offer with “different payment terms” to the release clause. Furthermore, Ugarte’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is reportedly involved in the negotiations. Chelsea, on the other hand, is also said to be in the race to secure the services of the Sporting star. The Blues reportedly have Moises Caicedo of Brighton on their transfer “list,” too.
Caicedo was signed from Ecuadorian side Independiente for £2m in February 2021. However, his impressive performances have attracted interest from the best teams in England, with Arsenal seeing a £70m bid rejected in January. The 21-year-old midfielder is now valued at €55m (£47.8m) and may fetch a mammoth profit for Brighton in the summer transfer window.
Chelsea, who were also keen on Caicedo in the winter transfer window, are currently in the market for a defensive midfielder. However, their priority is to sign a striker, with Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen on their shortlist. Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly agreed to become Chelsea’s next manager, but an official announcement has yet to be made.
The Argentine’s arrival could be the main reason the Blues have been linked with Kane, who spent five-and-a-bit years under Pochettino at Spurs. Liverpool, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and PSG are also believed to be keen on Ugarte, but it remains to be seen which club will ultimately secure his signature.
