Chelsea have added Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte to their “list” of midfield targets, according to the Evening Standard reporter Nizaar Kinsella.
The usually reliable journalist claims the Uruguayan international is now being considered as an option along with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone and West Ham’s Declan Rice:
Chelsea have drawn up a midfield shortlist but worth not forgetting that Andrey Santos has always been considered a signing for the first team and the Blues want him in soon: https://t.co/5Cyj4x3T8q #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) May 4, 2023
Ugarte is someone who likes to get stuck in, to say the least. He has picked up 15 yellow cards so far this campaign, having also been sent off on one occasion for two bookable offences in the Europa League.
The 22-year-old is, however, pretty decent in possession, and he very rarely gives the ball away under pressure, much like Mateo Kovacic.
Other Premier League teams, including Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle have also been linked with Ugarte in recent days. He also has a €60m (£53m) release clause, which may well tempt teams to make a move so we shall see how this transfer story unfolds in the coming weeks.