Chelsea a ‘new option’ for Liverpool, Aston Villa target; journalist confirms Rice Twitter speculation

Chelsea have reportedly joined Premier League rivals Liverpool and Aston Villa in the race to sign Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

Ugarte has been playing in the Portuguese capital since his transfer from Famalicao in 2021.

He has since established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe and is highly sought-after going into the summer transfer window.

The Uruguayan has been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent weeks. However, a report from Portuguese newspaper A Bola says Aston Villa is ‘the most likely destination’ for Ugarte.

And now Chelsea, who must sign a No. 6 this summer, have entered the race to sign the 22-year-old and are a ‘new option’, according to Record (via Sport Witness).

Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea all get a mention in the report with Todd Boehly a ‘confessed admirer’ and ‘close partner’ to Ugarte’s agent, Jorge Mendes.

Sporting are anticipating ‘strong proposals’ in the summer and talks between Mendes and the Portuguese club are expected to take place ‘this week’.

During recent contract talks, Sporting failed to increase Ugarte’s €60million (£52m) release clause.

Liverpool have apparently made it clear to the player’s camp that they will make a bid when the summer transfer window opens, with scouts keeping an eye on his progress.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed that three Premier League clubs are interested in signing Ugarte.

He wrote on Twitter earlier this month: ‘Jorge Mendes is taking care of Manuel Ugarte’s future. Talks will continue with Premier League clubs ahead of summer move, very concrete possibility.

‘There’s interest from 3 PL clubs but no agreement with any team yet. The race is open.’

Ugarte is pretty similar to Joao Palhinha, who left Sporting to join Fulham last summer.

Both players have recorded the most duels won and tackles made in their respective leagues this term.

The Uruguayan had a monstrous game for Sporting against Benfica on Sunday, winning the most duels in the match, completing the most take-ons with a 100% completion rate, making six tackles, three clearances, and completing 93% of his passes, as per Squawka.

Chelsea are expected to sign a new central midfielder in the summer despite breaking the British transfer record on Enzo Fernandez in January.

Declan Rice has been admired for some time now but the Blues are not believed to be the frontrunners for his signature.

In fact, Chelsea insider Simon Phillips has confirmed Twitter speculation that Rice was the club’s first choice before things turned sour ‘behind the scenes’.

Chelsea news account Londons First claimed: ‘The unanimous choice was Declan Rice but things have happened behind the scenes that didn’t go down very well with him and his family.’

And Phillips, who is well respected among the Chelsea supporters on social media, quoted the tweet saying it is true. This could be the biggest load of rubbish you will see all year, but it is interesting all the same.

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