The race for talented midfielder and Manchester United target Manuel Ugarte has taken an intriguing turn, with Chelsea reportedly pulling out of the pursuit and Paris Saint-Germain taking the lead in their bid to secure the player’s signature. According to Fabrizio Romano, the London-based club withdrew from the race as they were reluctant to exceed what they deem to be the midfielder’s “market rate”.
Chelsea Pull Out of Race to Sign Manchester United and PSG Target Manuel Ugarte
Breaking: Chelsea are pulling out of the Manuel Ugarte race, PSG are now in the lead to sign the player! 🚨🔵🇺🇾 #CFC
Player was open to Chelsea move — but PSG have offered more and Chelsea are not willing to pay well above what they consider Ugarte’s “market rate”. pic.twitter.com/XYaSuSgoAY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 4, 2023
The Blues’ Initial Interest in Manuel Ugarte
Chelsea had shown a keen interest in acquiring the services of the talented midfielder from Sporting Lisbon. Mauricio Pochettino had approved the signing, and several rounds of negotiations had taken place. However, it seems that the terms offered by PSG have surpassed the West London side’s valuation of the player, giving Pochettino a nightmare start to the transfer window as his first target in the Chelsea hotseat gets away from him.
United were also said to be willing to meet the same price as Chelsea, but after PSG’s improved offer it seems that the French side are now in pole position. As per Romano, the Ligue 1 club are now set to finalize a £52 million deal with the Leões for the 22-year-old.
Potential Impact on Chelsea’s Transfer Plans
Chelsea’s decision to step back from their pursuit of Manuel Ugarte could also have repercussions on their transfer plans. With the Uruguayan no longer an option, the club will likely shift their focus to alternative targets. One such player is Moises Caicedo, the midfielder from Brighton and Hove Albion who has caught their attention. The Ecuadorian could be a fantastic addition to the club’s midfield options.
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With new manager Mauricio Pochettino looking to revamp the midfield, Chelsea are actively looking at options in the transfer market and the club could be in for a very busy summer.
