Chelsea are wasting no time in their pursuit of Manuel Ugarte. The Blues have intensified their interest in Ugarte as he is one of the most admired profiles by incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino. CFC are set to undergo a midfield revolution this summer and signing Ugarte is the first step that Chelsea want to take.
The Uruguayan has been a target for the Blues but is also being followed by other elite sides in Europe. PSG are one of the most interested sides in the 22 year Sporting midfielder and are ready for a transfer battle with CFC.
According to the reliable Portuguese outlet Record, Chelsea and PSG both have submitted their proposals for Ugarte. CFC co-owner Todd Boehly met with Ugarte, Jorge Mendes and Jorge Chijane to discuss a transfer. The 22 year old prefers a move to CFC and is more attracted to the sporting project at Stamford Bridge but there are some stumbling blocks. The negotiations are set to continue in the upcoming days and weeks.
Manuel Ugarte to Chelsea transfer fees
The midfielder is contracted at Sporting till 2026 and the only way to sign him will be to activate the release clause in his contract. Ugarte has a release clause of €60 million (£53 million) and any side interested in the Uruguayan will have to shell out the aforementioned fee. Chelsea and PSG are open to triggering the release clause. In an attempt to sway Ugarte to CFC, Pochettino has also called the midfielder directly to convince him over a move.
PSG are willing to settle the €60M fee for Manuel Ugarte in two instalments, while #Chelsea want five payments of €12M. The other main difference is Chelsea offering €5M in add-ons after their David Datro Fofana on loan offer was turned on.
— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) May 31, 2023
[via @Record_Portugal] https://t.co/5Kx3zdkIEw
Chelsea’s wage offer to Manuel Ugarte
Ugarte prefers a move to London but there is a huge disparity between the wages offered by Chelsea and PSG. The French giants are offering him a lavish contract of €5 million a year which boils down to almost a €100,000 per week salary. Whereas the Blues are offering only a €2 million a year contract to the Uruguayan. The difference is huge and CFC will need to increase their offer to remain in the race for the 22 year old.
Manuel Ugarte to Chelsea deal structure
PSG and Chelsea will have to trigger the release clause. The French giants are willing to pay Sporting in two installments of €30 million each. However, CFC would prefer payments in five installments. The Blues of London are also willing to include extra €5 million in add-ons and send David Datro Fofana on loan for a season. The hope is that the add-ons and Fofana loan will compensate for the payments in five installments.
Will the Blues succeed in signing Mauel Ugarte?