Manchester United now looking to hijack Chelsea’s agreement to sign £33,000-a-week man

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Chelsea now face competition from Manchester United as well as PSG in the battle to sign Manuel Ugarte from Sporting CP.

That is according to A Bola in Portugal.

After Chelsea seemed to be closing in on a deal to bring Ugarte to Stamford Bridge, the transfer saga has been blown wide open.

What’s the story?

Well, according to journalist Franco Fernandez on Twitter, Chelsea had struck an agreement with Sporting CP over a deal for the Uruguay international, and it was even claimed that the transfer could be confirmed this week.

However – according to A Bola – Manchester United are now looking to hijack the move.

Another Portuguese news outlet in Record claimed that Ugarte wants to join Chelsea over PSG as he prefers to play in the Premier League, although he is currently reconsidering after the Blues offered him a salary of £1.7m-a-year (£33,000-a-week), which is believed to be 50% of what the French giants have put on the table.

Now, Manchester United are attempting to complicate things even more for Mauricio Pochettino – who Fabrizio Romano claims has approved the signing of the South American, and is very keen to have in west London.

Ugarte has a release clause worth £52m – which Record state Chelsea and PSG are both happy to pay – although his personal terms are proving to be the main issue for the Blues.

Manchester United are a genuine threat to Chelsea in Ugarte pursuit

The Red Devils arguably pose more of a threat to Chelsea than PSG, as they can offer Ugarte the chance to play in the Premier League – his preferred destination – as well as the Champions League.

Interestingly, Record add that the Carabao Cup winners have a strong relationship with Sporting CP after doing business over Bruno Fernandes, which doesn’t bode well for Chelsea.

Manchester United are also in a position to offer the 22-year-old a much larger salary, as Erik ten Hag does not need to keep a watchful eye on Financial Fair Play this summer like Todd Boehly and Pochettino do.

While Chelsea still find themselves in the position of being Ugarte’s preferred destination, the Blues must increase the salary proposal on the table as soon as possible, before Manchester United make a bid which blows them away.