Chelsea interested in signing 23-year-old Uruguay international as replacement for Conor Gallagher: Reports

Chelsea are reportedly interested in the signing of 23-year-old Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfielder Manuel Ugarte next season. The Uruguay international was said to be on the Blues' radar last season as well.

The 2023/24 season has been tumultuous for Chelsea in every sense of the word. The west London outfit suffered a challenging campaign which saw them miss out on Champions League football for a second season in a row. Lackluster displays, injury woes and an absence of ideal squad depth have seen Mauricio Pochettino's men falter in every competition.

In response, the Blues are planning significant changes to their squad, which includes both incoming and outgoing transfers. Conor Gallagher, a player that rose through the youth ranks, is set to enter the final year of his contract next season, and is yet to receive a contract extension from the club.

Now, latest reports from TBR Football suggest that the Blues are aiming to replace Gallagher with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

Ugarte joined PSG from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2023 for a fee of around £51 million. At that time, the French champions beat Todd Boehly to his signature, as the west London club were also keen to sign him. However, Chelsea's interest in Ugarte has persisted, and they are now looking at the possibility of landing him this summer.

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Chelsea reportedly set to face competition from Manchester United and Liverpool

The Blues are reportedly not the only club interested in the Uruguayan midfielder. Manchester United and Liverpool, along with Juventus, are also monitoring his situation.

PSG, under the management of Luis Enrique, appear to be preparing for a summer clear-out, with several high-profile players potentially leaving the club.

Ugarte, who has featured in 24 Ligue 1 matches and eight UEFA Champions League fixtures for PSG this season, is among those who could be sold. Despite his contributions, Enrique reportedly remains unconvinced by Ugarte’s performances, leading the club to consider his sale.

The French champions have even offered Ugarte to Juventus and AC Milan, according to reports from L’Équipe. Ugarte himself is believed to be open to the prospect of moving to England.

For Chelsea, acquiring a player of Ugarte’s caliber would be a significant move. The midfielder is known for his work rate and defensive capabilities, traits that would bolster the Blues' midfield. Pochettino's midfield has struggled this season due to underperformance from numerous new signings, and Ugarte could prove to be a breath of fresh air.