With reports from the French and the Portuguese media today claiming Paris Saint Germain are putting €60m on the table for the signing of Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte, it really seemed like the end of the battle for the 22-year-old.
There is, however, nothing done yet, and as now reported by Mais Futebol, Chelsea are showing up to try to hijack that deal.
The website features a story claiming that despite PSG’s offer delivered by Jorge Mendes, Sporting are aware of the Blues’ interest in the player.
Chelsea are said to be ‘preparing to move forward’ with the same offer, worth €60m, paid in several 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.
