Chelsea have made a £51 million offer to sign Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte in the summer transfer window, as per Portuguese outlet Record. The Blues appear to be looking to further improve their midfield line after signing Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for a record figure in January.
Chelsea Make Offer for Liverpool Target Manuel Ugarte
Chelsea Ready to Match PSG Bid for Ugarte
It was already reported recently that the London club are expected to have a busy summer transfer window as they aim to significantly improve the squad for their incoming new permanent successor to Graham Potter.
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Record states that Paris Saint-Germain are ready to match Sporting’s demands and made a £51 million bid to activate Ugarte’s release clause in an attempt to sign him in the upcoming summer window. However, Chelsea have leapt onto the scene and are now ready to fight for the Uruguayan midfielder.
It’s further stated that the Blues are ready to match PSG’s offer for Ugarte the Uruguayan star would personally prefer a move to Stamford Bridge, despite their lack of European football next season. It’s added that the 24-year-old feels like the Premier League represents a better challenge for him and it’s been his dream to play in England after he was also linked with a move to Liverpool.
How Can Manuel Ugarte Fit In at Chelsea?
While he might not be playing in a top-5 European league, Ugarte has been impressing a lot of teams with his heroics for Sporting in Portugal. He’s been described as “Europe’s most tenacious ball-winner” as well as a “defensive monster” because of his impressive ability to win back possession in midfield and get the ball forwards quickly.
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The 22-year-old isn’t known for his goalscoring ability but can be an unrelenting engine in the middle of the park who can operate as a defensive midfielder as well as a no.8 if needed. That means he can fit well into the Chelsea midfield and add a lot of steel into their squad, with his defensive ability perhaps able to allow Enzo Fernandez to play a more advanced role than he’s been allowed since signing for the London club in January.
For the time being, however, the Blues face an uphill task as PSG aren’t ones to back out of a challenge themselves and Liverpool could also pose a prominent competitor to this deal.
