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Ugarte file: PSG doubles its wage offer, Chelsea withdraws

05/06/23 08:39 by Fabien Borne

A new twist has emerged in the case of Manuel Ugarte, Sporting CP's Uruguayan midfielder, who is being courted by PSG and Chelsea. Although he was rumoured to be close to the Blues, Paris is said to have doubled his wage offer and is on the verge of winning the bid.

The first saga of the summer mercato concerns Manuel Ugarte. Ten days ago, Portuguese sports daily Record revealed that <a href=/news/psg-sends-60-million-for-uruguayan-talent>the PSG had decided to pay his €60 million release clause. Immediately afterwards, several French media confirmed that Sporting CP's Uruguayan midfielder was close to becoming PSG's first summer recruit.

In the meantime, however, we learned that Chelsea had also offered to pay the player's release clause, plus a further 5 million euros in bonuses. Record explained the following week that the deal was still on the table, with PSG offering a much better salary for the player (€5m/year, compared with just €2m/year from Chelsea) and better payment terms for Sporting (paying the clause in 2 instalments, whereas Chelsea wanted to pay it in 5).

Over the weekend, however, the same Record daily reported that <a href=/news/mercato-psg-ugarte-on-his-way-to-chelsea>Manuel Ugarte was heading for Chelsea, who had revised their wage offer upwards to €3.5m/year plus the promise of a progressive salary over time. Clearly enough to convince the player, attracted by the idea of joining the Premier League.

PSG offer Ugarte €10m/year

But on Sunday evening, there was a new twist, with journalist Ben Jacobs tweeting shortly before midnight that Chelsea had withdrawn from the deal after PSG had made a follow-up offer. Fabrizio Romano subsequently confirmed the news.

This Monday morning, the famous daily Record tells us more, revealing that PSG have doubled their salary offer to Manuel Ugarte, from €5m/year to €10m/year! Ugarte and his representatives then let Chelsea know that they wanted to think twice, even though the medical in London had already been scheduled, which annoyed Chelsea, who threatened to withdraw from the deal as they did not want to take part in the bidding.

"Today is another day, and the Londoners are not completely out of the picture", adds Record, which confirms that the trend is now towards a transfer of Manuel Ugarte to Paris. In France, L'Equipe reported on Monday that the Uruguayan is expected to sign for PSG today. According to FootMercato, the player's first priority is to join PSG, who are now in a strong position to conclude the deal... barring yet another twist in the plot.

Chelsea Sporting CP Paris Saint Germain