With the Portuguese season coming to an end, the local media is now fully focused on the transfer window, and Chelsea’s pursuit of Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte is one of the main subjects.
Today we get to see two interesting stories about this chase. One of them comes from Jornal de Notícias, who say the 22-year-old’s future should be decided ‘before the end of the week’.
Chelsea and Paris Saint Germain are said to be battling for his signing, and it’s claimed that in ‘normal conditions’, the Blues would be chosen. The problem is their lack of European football next season, and that gives the French club a chance.
Meanwhile, newspaper Correio da Manhã comes up with exclusive claims saying that on Friday, Sporting president Frederico Varandas ‘forbid’ manager Ruben Amorim from using Ugarte in the match against Vizela.
It’s claimed that since there are advanced negotiations with Chelsea and PSG for the midfielder’s transfer, the club chief was afraid the player would get injured and the sale would collapse.
Both Chelsea and PSG are offering the €60m of his release clause, and since it’s the player who shall decide, it’s said the salary offer ‘could make all the difference’.
