Chelsea ready to match bid for €60 million midfielder who is being scouted regularly

Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte is a wanted commodity across Europe as elite teams queue up for his signature in the summer. The Uruguayan has been in splendid form this season and has been the heartbeat of the Sporting midfield. Chelsea are one of many admirers in the chase but face immense competition.

Chelsea’s midfield hasn’t quite fired this season and wholesale changes are expected in the middle of the park. The Blues broke the bank to sign Enzo Fernandez who has been exquisite for most part of the season. He has shown his class and tremendous ability but needs a solid partner who can complement him.

N’Golo Kante’s injury issues have restricted him to just 685 minutes of football this season. Mateo Kovacic has gone through a difficult patch where he has looked out of form and out of sync. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has done a reasonable job but CFC needs a tenacious midfielder to partner with Fernandez.

Chelsea willing to match PSG’s bid for Manuel Ugarte

Sporting’s Ugarte fits the bill. One of Chelsea’s top priorities this summer is to sign a holding midfielder and a long list of candidates has emerged. West Ham United’s captain Declan Rice has been a long term target for the Blues. Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo has been excellent this season and is one of the top transfer targets for CFC in the summer. Chelsea are also scouting Ugarte.

According to Football Insider, CFC have been scouting the 22 year old regularly as they try to land the midfielder in the summer. Chelsea have been scouting Ugarte throughout the season and will make a push to sign him in the summer but face fierce competition. Ugarte’s current deal expires in 2026 but his contract has a release clause of £53 million which could be triggered this summer.

PSG are keeping a close eye on Ugarte’s situation. In fact, as per Fabrizio Romano, PSG have sent their first bid to Sporting to sign Ugarte. The French giants’ offer is different than the €60 million release clause where they will be making payments in installments. Chelsea are in the race as well.

According to journalist Bruno Andrade, Chelsea are willing to match PSG’s offer. In fact, the Blues recently sent a representative to Lisbon as well. Sporting are very clear on their stance that they want €60 million for their prized asset. Liverpool have also expressed interest but haven’t taken any steps to sign the 22 year old.

Will CFC sign Manuel Ugarte?