Transfers
Key reason why Chelsea have pulled out of Manuel Ugarte deal as PSG win €60m transfer race
Paris-Saint Germain have won the race to sign Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte after Chelsea made a late decision to pull out from the transfer pursuit.
The 22-year-old has been at the centre of a tug-of-war between Chelsea and PSG in recent weeks, with both sides trying to thrash out a deal with the Uruguayan and his representatives, including super-agent Jorge Mendes.
It appeared Mauricio Pochettino was set to land his first signing after Chelsea agreed to pay Ugarte’s €60 million release clause and €5 million in add-ons, while the midfielder preferred a move to the Premier League.
But on Sunday night, Chelsea made the decision to pull out of a deal to try to sign Ugarte, as first broken by Ben Jacobs and shortly followed by Fabrizio Romano.
Chelsea believed they made a competitive offer to Ugarte, with reports of a salary offer of around €3.5 million-a-year, but the Blues were not prepared to ‘go above market value’ to match PSG’s offer.
Record Portugal, who claimed Chelsea all but had a deal wrapped up, suggest PSG made an offer of €10 million-a-year to Ugarte, however that is disputed by Ben Jacobs.
PSG have now won the race, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, who has given the ‘here we go’ on his move to the Parc des Princes this summer.
Ugarte, who was preparing to move to London, has arrived in Paris for his medical and will sign his contract on Monday ahead of joining the Parisians.
He will join Marco Asensio who will make the switch from Real Madrid after becoming a free agent having left Los Blancos at the end of his contract.
Chelsea will now turn their attention to Brighton & Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo as they eye a new midfielder as part of their squad overhaul this summer.