Chelsea have reportedly won the race to sign Sporting Lisbon's Manuel Ugarte ahead of French champions Paris Saint-Germain after paying in excess of the player's release clause.
The 22-year-old has been a regular fixture for Sporting in the Primeira Liga this campaign, featuring 31 times, with only three of those appearances coming off the bench.
The Uruguayan had a spell at Portuguese outfit Famalicao before heading to one of the country's biggest sides - the eight-time international has also played for Fenix in his homeland.
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea have pipped Ligue 1 club PSG to the signing of Ugarte this summer, with the Londoners agreeing to pay more than his £52m release clause.
It is believed that the Parisians offered a more lucrative personal deal to the player, however the midfielder's desire to play in the Premier League and the higher transfer fee will see him move to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues' incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino is said to be a huge admirer of Ugarte, and made the Uruguayan his number one transfer target ahead of attempting to trim a bloated squad of players in West London.
Carter White
