Chelsea and Newcastle ready to challenge PSG and trigger Manuel Ugarte’s release clause

L’Équipe reported this morning that Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte (22) was nearing a move to Paris Saint-Germain after the Ligue 1 club decided to trigger his release clause, however, according to Santi Aouna Chelsea and Newcastle United have both informed the Portuguese club that they are also willing to pay the €60m required to obtain the Uruguayan international’s services. 

Aouna adds that there is already an agreement in principle in place between the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, and PSG’s Sporting Consultant Luís Campos. The latter is keen to further strengthen Les Parisiens’ midfield this summer, despite adding Renato Sanches, Vitinha, Carlos Soler and Fabián Ruiz to the mix at the beginning of the season. 

PSG want to pay the €60m release clause in numerous instalments, and negotiations have been described by L’Équipe as being at “a very advanced” stage. However, Aouna has now revealed that there could be considerable Premier League interest. Chelsea and Newcastle have both informed Sporting that they are willing to trigger Ugarte’s release clause. Like PSG, Newcastle will be able to offer the midfielder Champions League football next season.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle