What Mauricio Pochettino has done to try to seal €65m summer transfer as Chelsea face PSG battle

Mauricio Pochettino is playing his part in trying to land Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte this summer, according to reports.

The 22-year-old is the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain as both clubs vie for his signature.

Ugarte, who has a €60 million release clause, has received salary proposals from both clubs in recent days, with Chelsea offering him €2 million-a-year (post-tax) and PSG more than doubling the Blues’ with a post-tax offer of €5 million-a-year.

His initial preference was a move to the Premier League and Stamford Bridge, a huge boost to Chelsea as they work on their transfer targets whilst trying to reduce their 30-plus man squad this summer.

But following the offers over personal terms, after believing the move to Chelsea was ‘almost closed’, Ugarte is now reconsidering and will hold talks in the coming days with the clubs over his next move.

This came after Chelsea offered €60 million plus €5 million in add-ons in five instalments, while PSG offered to pay €60 million in two instalments.

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly held a meeting with Ugarte, his representative – Jorge Chijane -, as well as intermediary Jorge Mendes, according to Record Portugal.

Pochettino, 51, was confirmed as Chelsea’s new head coach, taking over officially on July 1, on Monday and he has already started to make key decisions on his squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Joao Felix has been confirmed to not be returning to Chelsea next season, while the Argentinian is keen on bringing Ugarte to the English capital.

Now as per Record, Pochettino has stepped in and made his presence known in the Ugarte transfer saga.

With PSG doing everything they can to lure Ugarte to the Parc des Princes, Pochettino has already called the Sporting CP midfielder to convince him of a switch to London instead of Paris.

Ugarte’s future ‘will be resolved in the coming days, in new rounds of negotiations between clubs and player’.

Chelsea are looking to avoid a repeat of their dismal 2022/23 campaign next season after their 12th place Premier League finish.

Pochettino has also recommended a new goalkeeper and a new striker to Chelsea ahead of his official July arrival.