Chelsea have informed Sporting Lisbon they are ready to pay Manuel Ugarte’s £52m release clause, as they make a last-ditch effort to beat Paris Saint-Germain to his signature, according to reports.
Reports in France and Portugal on Thursday claimed PSG were on the brink of completing a move for the midfielder.
Lisbon-based newspaper Correio da Manha claimed Ugarte would sign a five-year deal to join the Ligue 1 champions.
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This followed PSG informing Ugarte’s agent Jorge Mendes that they would trigger the £52million clause in his contract.
Brazilian journalist Bruno Andrade has reported that Chelsea are still in the race for Ugarte, with the London side having recently flown a representative to Lisbon.
The Blues have reportedly told Sporting that they will also meet the clause, leaving Ugarte to decide between the two teams.
Mail Sport revealed this week that Chelsea watched Ugarte as they considered making a move for the midfielder.
Ugarte has impressed during his second campaign at Sporting, with the midfielder playing 47 matches in all competitions.
The 22-year-old defensive midfielder joined Sporting for just over £5m in the summer of 2021 from Famalicao.
He has since made 85 appearances for the Portuguese club, while he also has eight caps for the Uruguay national team.
Mendes had been talking to a number of Premier League teams over a potential move for Ugarte.
Liverpool and Newcastle United have also watched Ugarte this season but are believed to be working on other priorities at the moment.
