Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly given the green light to Chelsea’s pursuit of Sporting Lisbon star Manuel Ugarte.
The former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss is set to be confirmed as Chelsea’s new manager this week after he signed a contract before Sunday’s final game of the Premier League campaign.
Pochettinio has been tasked with a huge rebuilding job and will begin work immediately on trimming a bloated squad that the likes of Tuchel, Graham Potter & Lampard found unmanageable.
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While the priority remains trimming the squad, Chelsea will also spend again in the summer to ensure Pochettino is equipped with players capable of sustaining a challenge for Champions League qualification.
A partner for Enzo Fernandez in midfield has been earmarked as a necessity and to that end Chelsea have already made progress with a deal to sign Ugarte.
Chelsea are believed to have indicated they are willing to pay the 22-year-old’s £52m release clause in full and Pochettino is reported to have sanctioned the move for the midfielder, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Pochettino’s former side, PSG, are reported to have tabled a rival offer but Chelsea are in pole position with the player said to be keen on a move to England.
Sporting, meanwhile, are keen to retain the Uruguay international but now appear to be fighting a losing battle.
Speaking about his future last week, manager Ruben Anorim said: ‘I cannot comment on this issue, because it is beyond me. Now, we know that it is difficult to keep players like Ugarte,’ Amorim told Ojogo.
‘Not just one club is interested, but several. Our objective is to sell, knowing that we missed the Champions League and it makes everything more difficult. I know what I want for the team and I have already conveyed that to the management.’
