How Chelsea were forced to give up on Ugarte

Stuart Telford

• 6 Jun 2023 11:28 BST
• 3 min read

PSG have pipped Chelsea to the signing of Manuel Ugarte at the 11th hour. How did the Blues miss out on such a key summer transfer target?

Chelsea have spent more than €600 million on players in the two transfer windows since Todd Boehly took control of the club last May, and the winds of change continue to sweep through Stamford Bridge with Mauricio Pochettino now installed as manager.

One of the first areas of his squad he needed to address was in central midfield.

READ: Ugarte to be kidding me! Boehly’s Chelsea transfer plan COLLAPSES

Enzo Fernandez has been one of the few success stories among the new arrivals in West London, but Jorginho - who joined Arsenal in January - could be followed out of the exit door by each of N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount this summer.

Ugarte was identified as the man to shore up the Blues' midfield, and Chelsea thought they had a deal in place for the Sporting CP and Uruguay man, but Paris Saint-Germain matched their €60m bid, which activated his release clause.

That wasn't the only reason the French champions beat the Blues to Ugarte's signature.

READ: Man Utd and Real Madrid the big winners from Boehly’s Chelsea transfer mayhem

UEFA integrity and a better pay check

"Chelsea had discussed the possibility of not only acquiring Ugarte but also taking a minority stake in Sporting," reports the Athletic's Adam Crafton. "PSG were sufficiently concerned… that the club drafted a legal letter which they intended to send to Sporting [outlining] their concerns over the "integrity" of the proposed transfer to Chelsea."

UEFA regulations state that clubs cannot have a share in another side taking part in its continental competitions. Although Chelsea missed out on Europe this season, Sporting will feature in next season's Europa League group stage after finishing fourth in Portugal.

PSG are also set to offer Ugarte more money than Chelsea were willing to, with reports in Portugal suggesting that the player will earn €10m a season at the Parc des Princes, compared to the €5m on offer from the Blues.