Chelsea have conceded the advantage to Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign Manuel Ugarte by leaving negotiations for the Sporting CP star.
As football.london reported on Sunday, June 4 there was a growing confidence from the Blues' side that a deal can be done for the 22-year-old but personal terms had not been agreed just yet. Ugarte having a £52million release clause included in his current deal at Sporting meant there would be no issues there but the problems arose very quickly in regard to two very different salary proposals.
While Chelsea were first putting forward €2million (£1.7m), the initial offer from PSG was a package of €5million (£4.3m) but they have since chosen to double his personal terms offer to a figure that Chelsea had no intent to match and thus resulted in them leaving the transfer race.
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With that said, football.london has rounded up the latest news on Ugarte following Chelsea's major decision.
Chelsea pull out of race
Late into Sunday evening, Chelsea made the decision to pull out of the race for Manuel Ugarte, as first revealed by CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.
The Blues were said to have made a "competitive offer" to the Sporting CP star but were blown out of the water by PSG's proposal and simply have no plans to match.
PSG make staggering offer
Paris Saint-Germain have made a salary proposal worth €10million (£8.6m) to Manuel Ugarte to complete a transfer for the Sporting CP star, according to Record in Portugal.
The Parisians are now comfortably the favourites to sign Ugarte over Chelsea with the latter not willing to pay over what they consider to be the 22-year-old's "market rate".
Manuel Ugarte signing 'close'
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of highly rated Sporting CP defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte, according to ESPN.
Both the London side and French champions Paris Saint-Germain have offered to trigger the Uruguay international's release clause of €60million (£52million). However, unlike the Parisians, Chelsea are adding solidarity payments and various bonuses which makes their proposition more attractive, sources said.
Sporting are even encouraging and pushing Ugarte to choose Chelsea ahead of PSG, who are still hoping to convince him, sources added. The 22-year-old has not yet agreed to anything but, according to sources, a full agreement with Chelsea is now close.
New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is said to be a big fan of Ugarte, who will line up alongside British-record signing Enzo Fernandez in the Chelsea midfield next season if he decides to join the club.
Talks 'advanced'
Chelsea consider deal now at ‘advanced stage’ for €60million (£52million) fee — but not done or sealed yet, being still careful with PSG around until documents are signed, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Chelsea submit improved Manuel Ugarte offer
Chelsea have now increased their salary offer to Ugarte after tabling an opening proposal of a £2million wage package, according to Record. The Blues have now offered a €3.5million (£3million) salary with various performance-based incentives and bonuses.
This comes after Record reported that Paris Saint-Germain had offered the 22-year-old a salary of €5million (£4.3million). Chelsea's increased offer is still some way short of the Parisians', yet Ugarte currently favours a move to west London over Paris.
Manuel Ugarte stance as Chelsea consider £62m swap deal
Chelsea will feel confident of landing Manuel Ugarte's signature this summer after reports stated that the Sporting CP star would favour joining the Blues over Paris Saint-Germain.
According to Record in Portugal, Chelsea are offering £62million plus £4million in add-ons for Ugarte (rather than pay his £52million release clause up front), who is also attracting strong interest from PSG. Yet it's also claimed the Blues have floated loaning striker David Datro Fofana as part of the proposal in a bid to beat the French giants to the punch.
Salary problem
Manuel Ugarte currently favours a move to Chelsea over Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports, but that could soon change.
Both interested clubs are offering similar package deals to Sporting CP which makes personal terms an important factor and PSG look to currently be leading that race.
As per Portuguese outlet Record, the Parisians are offering €5million (£4.3million), while Chelsea are putting forward €2million (£1.7million), with both offers tax free.
Pochettino call
Mauricio Pochettino is desperate to make Manuel Ugarte his first Chelsea signing but faces competition from his former club Paris Saint-Germain.
According to Record in Portugal, the Argentine has personally called the Sporting CP midfielder to try and convince him to choose Stamford Bridge over Paris.
Mauricio Pochettino approves £52m deal
According to Fabrizio Romano, Pochettino has approved a move for Ugarte as he looks to add a new midfielder to the Chelsea squad. The Blues are now pushing to sign the Uruguay international with talks planned with the player and Sporting CP.
Chelsea contract 'agreed'
Uruguayan transfer insider Franco Fernandez claims that Chelsea are the frontrunners to acquire Ugarte's services and that a deal could be thrashed out as early as next week. He tweeted: "Manuel Ugarte was on the bench [against Vizela], he did not see minutes waiting for his future for the transfer period. His arrival at Chelsea could be confirmed next week."
Sporting stance
Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has already admitted it is hard for the Portuguese club to keep hold of Ugarte this summer with clubs across Europe registering an interest in signing the midfielder. The 22-year-old has a £52million release clause in his contract which PSG and Chelsea are willing to match, according to the Express.
"I cannot comment on this issue, because it is beyond me. Now, we know that it is difficult to keep players like Ugarte," Amorim told Ojogo.
"Not just one club is interested, but several. Our objective is to sell, knowing that we missed the Champions League and it makes everything more difficult.
"I know what I want for the team and I have already conveyed that to the management."
Chelsea payment plan
Following Chelsea's decision to prepare an offer for Sporting CP's Manuel Ugarte, the Blues could hold a distinct advantage with the selling club.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, in addition to paying his release clause, Chelsea will offer several bonuses to Sporting CP.
Salary decision
Just 24 hours after PSG's intent to sign Manuel Ugarte was made clear, Chelsea have also agreed to the same proposal as the French club.
As per Record, the salary proposals from each team will prove decisive in Ugarte's camp determining which side he signs for this summer.
PSG meet release clause
Paris Saint-Germain look to have taken the lead in the transfer race to sign Manuel Ugarte from Sporting CP in the summer window
On Thursday, it was claimed by Record in Portugal that Ugarte is close to joining PSG after the Parisians made a €60million (£51million) bid which met his release clause.
Premier League desire
Sporting CP star Manuel Ugarte would like to move to the Premier League this summer if a move away from Portugal is sanctioned.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham are among the English clubs to have shown an interest in signing the midfielder.
Liverpool interest
Liverpool have held a long-standing interest in Manuel Ugarte with a significant midfield rebuild looking likely to take place at Anfield this summer.
Fellow Uruguay international Darwin Nunez could end up playing a key role in Ugarte's summer decision by convincing him to join him at Liverpool.
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