According to Portuguese outlet Record, Chelsea are set to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte after agreeing to pay his £52 million release clause.
The deal is said to be completed, with Ugarte choosing a move to the Premier League over Paris Saint-Germain. While details still need to be finalized, the opportunity to play against top teams like Manchester City and Liverpool is reportedly a dream for Ugarte.
The acquisition of the defensive midfielder is expected to provide more defensive protection for Chelsea, whose backline underperformed last season.
This potential signing would be the club’s first of the summer and first under their new manager Mauricio Pochettino as they aim to strengthen the squad following a disappointing campaign.
The 22-year-old has had an impressive season with Sporting with performances which have put him in the radar of many clubs.
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Despite significant investment by new owner Todd Boehly, including a £600 million spending spree, Chelsea finished in the bottom half of the Premier League and failed to make significant progress in the cup competitions.
The upcoming summer transfer window is anticipated to be busy for Chelsea as they support Pochettino in the market. In addition to potential incoming transfers, there are likely to be several departures from Stamford Bridge in a bid to trim the bloated squad.
Mason Mount has been linked with a move to Manchester United, Matteo Kovacic to Man City, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is reportedly of interest to AC Milan.
Trevoh Chalobah, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Hakim Ziyech and Édouard Mendy are among the players who could be sold by the club.
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