Chelsea have reportedly stepped up their interest in signing Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who Liverpool are believed to be watching this weekend.
According to Record, the Blues could make a swoop for the Uruguay international amid growing Premier League interest in the 22-year-old, with Liverpool currently the front-runners for Ugarte as the midfielder looks set to leave Portugal this summer.
With a release clause of €60m (£53m), Ugarte could be an easy signing for interested Premier League parties with the midfielder enjoying a fantastic year for club and country, and for Liverpool, Chelsea could now beat them to the Sporting talent.
Indeed, the Reds will have scouts in attendance tonight to watch Ugarte in the Derby de Lisboa as Sporting host Benfica, and Chelsea could also have a representative present amid this latest report from Portugal, with the Blues ready to spend big again this summer.
Whilst Liverpool could have the edge on Chelsea in any race to sign Ugarte, the finances the west London side can put up for the Sporting star could be what hands Mauricio Pochettino his first signing of the summer, which could soon become a reality.
Chelsea could easily trump Liverpool in battle to sign Ugarte
Chelsea know that this summer could be their most important window in some time, with the failures of this season likely to weigh heavily over the moves they make in the coming weeks, and for Ugarte, the Blues could triumph over Liverpool in the race for the Sporting talent.
Midfield is a key area for the west London side to make improvements in this summer, and under Pochettino, Ugarte could be an ideal addition should Chelsea beat Liverpool to the 22-year-old’s signature, who could be tempted by the bright lights and glistening paycheques of Stamford Bridge.
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