Sources: Chelsea regularly scouting Manuel Ugarte as £52m news emerges
Chelsea could land Manuel Ugarte for £52million this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Blues have heavily scouted Ugarte at Sporting throughout the season and are eyeing up a summer swoop for the midfielder.
The 22-year-old’s current contract in Portugal runs until 2026 and includes a £53m release clause.
But Sporting are only entitled to 70 per cent of the sum with his former club Famalicao able to claim the remaining 30 per cent of the money.
This site has learned that two new midfield arrivals are not out of the question for Chelsea in the upcoming transfer window.
Earlier this month (6 May), Football Insider revealed that the Blues are in a good position to sign Ugarte who is also being scouted by Liverpool and Newcastle United.
Ugarte is believed to be keen on a move to the English top flight despite the potential of European football at the Portuguese club next season, something Chelsea cannot offer.
The Uruguayan has made 47 appearances for his current club across all competitions this season and provided one assist in those outings.
The midfielder is an international teammate of current Premier League player Darwin Nunez who recently joined Liverpool.
The pair linked up with the national side for the World Cup in Qatar with Nunez enjoying substantially more game time in the competition than Ugarte.
In other news, Kieran Maguire demands Chelsea transparency after ‘problematic’ reveal.