Chelsea set to complete £52m Manuel Ugarte transfer

By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

4th Jun, 2023 | 3:32pm

Manuel Ugarte heading to Chelsea after full agreement reached - sources

Chelsea have won the race to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte, sources have told Football Insider.

Talks have been progressing over the last week and the 22-year-old midfielder is now set to join the London club in a £52million move when details are finalised.

It is understood that Ugarte has a full agreement with Chelsea and is expected to sign a deal until 2028.

He will become the first signing under new manager Mauricio Pochettino after the Argentine requested him during his interview process.

Negotiations have been ongoing over a structured deal that will see the Portuguese club receive a significant upfront fee with add-ons that reach his release clause.

Paris Saint-Germain offered a higher base wage to try and tempt Ugarte to join but Chelsea’s contract offer is subsidised by bonus features and future clauses.

Chelsea had been keeping tabs on Ugarte before hiring Pochettino but accelerated their pursuit after appointing him at Stamford Bridge.

After finalising a deal for Ugarte, Chelsea are planning on turning their attention towards a deal for Moises Caicedo this summer.

Chelsea are eager to financially back Pochettino during his first summer at the club, and the recruitment team are planning a number of outgoings as well as new signings.

Ugarte has made a total of 47 appearances across all competitions this season, playing 3574 minutes of football and contributing one assist. He has also been capped 8 times at senior level for his country.

In other news, Mason Mount tells Chelsea he wants to join Man United