According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are advancing in their pursuit of signing Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte. The report from Romano states that there is still caution from Chelsea following the Enzo Fernandez transfer saga. The deal for Ugarte is not completed yet, but Romano also tweeted that The Blues are very confident they can complete the transfer and are just waiting on the “final steps.”
Chelsea Reach ‘Final Steps’ in Pursuit of Manuel Ugarte
More on Manuel Ugarte deal. Chelsea hope to fix final details, get contracts done next week. 🚨🔵⏳ #CFC
Club very confident, waiting on final steps but careful until the end. https://t.co/bOtg7IT3pg
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 3, 2023
Manuel Ugarte Moves Closer to Sporting CP Exit
Ugarte appears ready to leave Sporting CP, with Chelsea seemingly in pole position to sign the Uruguayan international, who has been described as a “monster.” According to the update from Romano, the deal for Ugarte has moved forward, with The Blues ready to complete the transfer.
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Ugarte has been a mainstay in the Sporting midfield this season following the departures of Matheus Nunes and Joao Palhinha. The departure of Palhinha, who was also described as a “monster,” was a big loss for Ruben Amorim’s team. Losing Ugarte one year after losing Palhinha will be a tough pill to swallow for Sporting CP. It appears Chelsea are prepared to pay the midfielders £52 Million release clause.
Pochettino to Improve Midfield; What Qualities Ugarte Offers
Mauricio Pochettino has seemingly identified the Stamford Bridge midfield as an area to improve this summer. Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic have been linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge this summer, and Pochettino has been linked with Ugarte and Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
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Ugarte would bring a work rate and endeavour to the Chelsea team that has been lacking this season. He would seemingly be the perfect midfield partner for Enzo, allowing the Argentine to influence the game further forward. Sporting CP have lost important players in recent years, and losing Ugarte would force Amorim back into the transfer market, with the Uruguayan midfielder not being easy to replace.