Chelsea submit offer for £52 million midfielder

Chelsea will be hoping to avoid registering their lowest ever Premier League finish as the season draws to a close on Sunday. 

The Blues currently sit in 12th place in the table but face high-flying Newcastle United on the final day and could drop to 14th if they suffer defeat and both Wolves and West Ham United both win.

Interim manager Frank Lampard will take charge of the side for the final time before leaving his role, with ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino expected to succeed the Englishman.

Pochettino hasn’t yet been confirmed but the Argentine is expected to become Graham Potter’s permanent successor, and it now appears that the club have already started looking at potential transfer targets for the upcoming window.

As per Football Insider, the Blues have made an offer in an attempt to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

The Uruguayan has been in sensational form for his current side this season, and the likes of Paris Saint-Germain are said to be interested in his services.

Ugarte has attracted attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs

The report claims that Chelsea have agreed to match PSG’s offer by meeting Ugarte’s release clause, which is said to be set at £52 million.

It is also claimed that the Premier League side have offered the player a contract, with Ugarte said to be keen on the idea of a move to the Premier League.

Ugarte, 22, has made 47 appearances across all competitions so far this season and has been praised for his performances.

The Uruguay international joined Sporting from Portuguese side Famalicao in the summer of 2021 and has since made 85 appearances for his current side.

Chelsea are said to have scouted the midfielder on a number of occasions this season and have now decided that the player will be a prime target during the upcoming transfer window.

The Blues have spent more than £500 million on 15 new signings since the start of last summer, which suggests that a number of players could be sold during the upcoming window.

Incoming manager Pochettino will undoubtedly be keen to bring in some new faces, though, and it appears that Chelsea have already put plans in place to do so.