Manuel Ugarte ‘prefers Chelsea move over PSG with Blues prepared to pay the £52m release clause plus bonuses’ for the Sporting Lisbon midfielder… while David Datro Fofana ‘has been offered to the Portuguese side on loan’
- Chelsea and PSG are both interested in signing Manuel Ugarte this summer
- The Uruguayan star has made 47 appearances for Sporting Lisbon this season
- The Blues are reportedly prepared to pay Ugarte’s £52m release clause
Chelsea have received a boost in their pursuit of Manuel Ugarte, with the Sporting Lisbon midfielder reportedly preferring a move to Stamford Bridge over Paris Saint-Germain.
Reports last week claimed that the Blues were prepared to match the French side’s £52m bid for the 22-year-old Uruguayan international.
The defensive midfielder is expected to move on this summer, with clubs across Europe interested in signing him following his excellent displays for Sporting this season.
Ugarte has made 47 appearances for the Portuguese side during the campaign, while also becoming a regular for his country over the past year.
Portuguese publication Record have now reported that Ugarte prefers a move to Chelsea over PSG this summer – which could lead to him becoming Mauricio Pochettino’s first appointment as Blues manager.
Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte prefers a move to Chelsea over Paris Saint-Germain
Ugarte (right) has made 47 appearances for Sporting Lisbon in all competitions this season
The deal would see Chelsea pay his £52m release clause, plus an additional £4m in bonuses.
It’s added that David Datro Fofana could be loaned out to Sporting in return from Stamford Bridge.
Fofana was Chelsea’s first signing of a busy January transfer window, as he arrived from Norwegian side Molde for a fee worth around £8m.
The Ivorian forward though has found his chances limited at Stamford Bridge, with just four appearances – and only one of those being a start, where he was hooked off in a defeat to Southampton at half time.
Reports in France and Portugal last week claimed 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.
But further reports from Brazilian journalist Bruno Andrade claimed that Chelsea were also in the race, with the Blues having recently flown a representative to Lisbon.
If he were to make the switch, he would be one of Pochettino’s first signings as manager of Chelsea.
Chelsea could be prepared to fork out the £52m release clause plus bonuses for Ugarte
Chelsea could offer forward David Datro Fofana to Sporting on loan to sweeten the deal
The Blues confirmed the appointment of the former Tottenham boss on a two-year deal on Monday – with the option of an additional one year.
Pochettino will start work on July 1 ahead of next season and will bring with him his trusted backroom team members, Jesus Perez, Miguel d’Agostino, goalkeeper coach Toni Jimenez plus son and fitness coach Sebastiano Pochettino.
He will have a lot of work to do with a clearout expected after a poor season, finishing 12th in the Premier League despite spending £600m.