Manuel Ugarte set to join PSG after Chelsea leave negotiations

Sporting CP v SL Benfica - Liga Portugal Bwin
Sporting CP v SL Benfica - Liga Portugal Bwin / Gualter Fatia/GettyImages
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After several comings and goings, PSG have finally won the battle for Manuel Ugarte's signature against Chelsea after the Premier League club dropped off the negotiations late on Sunday.

Initially billed as one of PSG's first summer signings, the Manuel Ugarte saga had plenty of twists and turns in a short span of days. Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea was willing to 'steal' the signing of the Sporting CP player to the Parisian team.

Although a battle between PSG and Chelsea had been brewing for a few days, the Parisian club would have finally won the contest according to various sources.

While the 22-year-old Uruguayan, under contract with the Portuguese club until 2026, was seemingly favoring a move to Chelsea to play in the Premier League, the London side eventually withdrew from the negotiations, as reported by Fabrizio Romano in his newsletter from Monday, June 5.

PSG have offered Ugarte better conditions although negotiations are still ongoing between Sporting and Paris Saint-Germain regarding how the French organization will pay the release clause of €60m.

Chelsea withdraws from contention; PSG now in pole position to land Manuel Ugarte

According to Loic Tanzi of L'Equipe, Chelsea withdrew from the negotiations, without the particular reason for that to happen being leaked. "The 22-year-old midfielder should sign for the French club this Monday," details the sports journal.

While various outlets announced the player preference for the Premier League club, Foot Mercato reports that "Ugarte wants to join Paris Saint-Germain above all else," perhaps more now than ever after Chelsea lowballed him.

According to Foot Mercato, the player has already been given the green light to sign for the French champions by his current club Sporting. However, the Parisian club would still have to work out some details with the Portuguese club before closing the deal.

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The objective of the Parisian directive would be to pay off the €60m clause "in various installments." With the arrivals of Milan Skriniar and Marco Asensio almost complete, Manuel Ugarte could therefore be PSG's third signing this summer.