The struggle for the 22-year-old midfielder appeared to be over as reports in the Portuguese and French media today claimed Paris Saint-Germain was offering €60 million to buy Manuel Ugarte from Sporting.
However, nothing has been done to date, and as Mais Futebol has just reported, Chelsea is now showing up to try to sabotage that deal.
According to a story on the website, Sporting are aware of the Blues’ interest in the player despite PSG’s offer, which was made by Jorge Mendes.
Chelsea is reportedly “getting ready to move forward” with the same offer, which is worth €60 million and is paid in numerous instalments.
Mais Futebol says the Blues’ bid should arrive ‘soon’ and that will put both Sporting and Ugarte in a ‘more favourable’ negotiating position .
The outlet recalls that Chelsea recently sent Behdad Eghbali, who’s said to be Todd Boehly’s ‘right arm’, to watch Ugarte in action for Sporting.
It’s worth pointing out that when reporting PSG’s offer today, newspaper Record pointed out that the player’s preference was actually to move to the Premier League. So maybe that’s an advantage the Blues will have.