By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

1st Jun, 2023 | 6:30am

Revealed: Pochettino steps in to finalise Manuel Ugarte deal in new Chelsea push

Mauricio Pochettino has had a phone conversation with Manuel Ugarte as Chelsea try to close the signing of the Sporting Lisbon midfielder, sources have told Football Insider.

The Blues are negotiating a structured deal that will meet the release clause of the Ugarte of £52 million and allow him to join in time for Pochettino officially starting work on 1st July.

The Uruguay international has already verbally accepted terms on a long-term deal and is keen to play in the Premier League next season.

It is believed that Paris Saint-Germain are still keen to land Ugarte, but they are losing the race to Chelsea and have begun laying the groundwork with other targets.

The London giants have begun their work for the upcoming summer transfer window – with a deal for Ugarte progressing and talks over Southampton’s Romeo Lavia also a focus for the club.

If all goes to plan for the huge spenders they will land Ugarte first, although negotiations over the structure of the deal are yet to be finalised with Sporting.

PSG have offered a lucrative package to the 22-year-old in an attempt to convince him to move to France but Chelsea are pushing to finalise the deal.

Chelsea have a huge off-season ahead, with significant movement in and out of the club expected should all go to plan for Pochettino and the club’s recruitment team.

Ugarte made a total of 47 club appearances this season, playing 3574 minutes of football and contributing one assist.

He has also been capped eight times by Uruguay at senior level.

In other news, Chelsea in advanced talks over £40m-a-yr deal