Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Ugarte deal close, Man United make Mount approach, Real Madrid want Havertz

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• talkSPORT sources understand that Manuel Ugarte is close to becoming Mauricio Pochettino’s first summer signing.

  The Blues are hopeful of warding off interest from Paris Saint-Germain and recruiting the Uruguayan midfielder.

  Chelsea are set to spend around £55million on Ugarte to ensure the ex-Tottenham boss gets his first-choice midfield target.

  

• As well as signing Manuel Ugarte, Chelsea are also seriously looking at Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.

  Ben Jacobs reports the Blues are well in the race for the midfielder but face stern competition from Arsenal and Newcastle.

  The Gunners saw two offers rejected for Caicedo in January and are yet to return with a third, but are targeting a couple of midfield additions this summer.

  Meanwhile, the Magpies can offer the Ecuadorian Champions League football and are looking for a number of elite signings.

  

• Hello, and welcome back to talkSPORT.com’s Chelsea transfer news blog.

  Let’s start by looking at Saturday’s biggest stories.

  It’s looking increasingly likely it’s going to be one in and one out in the coming weeks, with Manuel Ugarte’s move from Sporting Lisbon to Chelsea now at an advanced stage.

  The Uruguayan appears to have rejected Paris Saint-Germain and the Blues are closing in on Mauricio Pochettino’s top target.

  Meanwhile, Mason Mount is edging towards the exit door after Manchester United submitted an official approach.

  talkSPORT understands the player and the Red Devils have agreed personal terms, and it is up to the clubs to thrash out a deal.

  

• That’s all for today’s talkSPORT coverage of Chelsea news.

  Return to the blog tomorrow for the latest updates on the Blues!

• Chelsea could be close to welcoming their first signing of the summer.

  Portuguese outlet Record have reported that Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte’s move to the Blues is ‘closed’ and he will join them this summer.

  Ugarte had also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain but is said to have chosen the ‘dream’ to play in the Premier League.

  Should it be made official, he is set to be Chelsea’s first signing under new boss Mauricio Pochettino.

  

• Chelsea have informed Manchester United of their desired transfer fee for Mason Mount.

  The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer, and the Evening Standard say the Blues want £70million for him.

  Mount could be set to leave Chelsea after making 195 appearances for the club, scoring 33 goals and assisting another 37.

  His contract at Stamford Bridge expires next year so a departure this summer will ensure the Blues don’t lose him on a free transfer.

• Mason Mount reportedly rejected three offers for a new contract at Chelsea.

  The Times say that all of them would have seen the 24-year-old’s pay increase at the Blues.

  Both of Chelsea’s initial offers were proposed five-year extensions and had the option of an extra 12 months.

  The third was made earlier in the year, a one-year extension accompanied by a ‘significant’ increase in wages to allow more time for negotiations.

  Mount looks set to leave Chelsea in the summer, and talkSPORT understands Manchester United have made an official approach.

  

• Manchester City are confident that a transfer for Mateo Kovacic is close after agreeing personal terms, talkSPORT understands.

  The Chelsea midfielder is set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after five seasons at the club.

  Kovacic initially joined on loan from Real Madrid in 2018 before making his move to the Blues permanent the following summer.

  The Croatian’s contract is due to expire next year, and talkSPORT understands Chelsea are open to selling him.

  

• Manchester United have reportedly made an official approach to Chelsea over the signing of Mason Mount.

  talkSPORT understands the England star has already agreed personal terms with the Red Devils.

  However, the two Premier League clubs are yet to enter negotiations over a transfer fee.

  Now, according to Sky Sports News, United have formally contacted Chelsea to begin talks for the 24-year-old midfielder.

  

• Chelsea are reportedly trying to sign midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Moises Caicedo this summer.

  New manager Mauricio Pochettino has prioritised rebuilding the club’s midfield ahead of the 2023/24 season.

  Mateo Kovacic is set to leave and N’Golo Kante continues to struggle with injuries, while Jorginho joined Arsenal in January.

  The Guardian reports that the Blues will rival Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain for Sporting Lisbon star Ugarte, who has a £52million release clause.

  Meanwhile, the club’s interest in Brighton’s Caicedo dates back to January, with Arsenal and Liverpool also interested.

  However, it is understood the Seagulls could demand £80million for the Ecuador star after rejecting the Gunners’ advances in January.

  Chelsea spent a British record £106.8m to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez in January.

  

• That’s all from today’s coverage of Chelsea’s transfer dealings.

  We’ll be back for more tomorrow as the Blues attempt to get a hold on their oversized squad.

• Kai Havertz to Real Madrid continues to gain momentum.

  The Chelsea attacker has been linked with Los Blancos and now it’s reported that he could be a Karim Benzema replacement.

  Fabrizio Romano claims Carlo Ancelotti is a big fan, and the Blues are willing to discuss a permanent deal.

  

• Chelsea remain in the race to sign Brighton’s Moises Caicedo this summer.

  The Blues are one of three teams chasing Caicedo and they are still interested in the Ecuadorian midfielder, according to Fabrizio Romano.

  He is on the London club’s list of targets and will likely be approached no matter what happens with other negotiations with Sporting Lisbon’s Manuel Ugarte.

  Talks to sign Ugarte are ongoing and even if that deal does go through, Caicedo is reported to remain a target this transfer window as the Blues overhaul their squad.

  

• Everton are looking to seal a shock transfer for former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.

  According to the Sun, Everton are aiming to solve their troubles in front of goal by making a £27million move for Roma’s Abraham.

  The Toffees were the lowest scorers in the top flight last season and only just survived relegation after beating Bournemouth on the final day.

  Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been dealing with many injury issues while Neal Maupay’s switch to Merseyside hasn’t worked out.

  So now Sean Dyche is on the lookout for a new front man and former Blues man Abraham is the number one target.

  The 25-year-old left Chelsea in 2021 but could now be set to return to the Premier League with Everton.

  The Blues do have a buy-back clause that they could trigger but at £68 million they are unlikely to swoop in and bring their former forward back to the club.

  

• Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund has told the Italian club that he wants to leave amid Chelsea interest.

  Hojlund has been attracting interest from clubs all over Europe with the 20-year-old impressing with his performances in Serie A.

  Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked to the Dane but Atalanta are not keen to sell, with an offer of £55million possibly forcing them to move that stance.

  And now Hojlund has asked the club if he can move on after only a year in Italy, according to 90min.

  He has reportedly made his thoughts on leaving the club clear through his agents SEG.

  This news may lead to Chelsea and Man United swooping in to try and bring the striker to the Premier League this summer.

  

• Newcastle CEO Darren Eales has taken aim at Chelsea’s transfer business following the conclusion of the Premier League season.

  The Magpies secured Champions League football while Frank Lampard’s side had a nightmare campaign despite spending the most money in the top flight.

  Eales has now spoken about the difference between Newcastle and Chelsea. He said: “It’s not just about the money you spend – it’s about how you spend it.

  “The game [against Chelsea] is a perfect illustration of that. You’re in safe hands with Eddie [Howe] and Dan [Ashworth] in terms of knowing what it is we’re looking for.

  “The reality is we are always going to spend what we can under FFP. I can say that to you hand on heart here.

  “The club will always be doing its best to get to where we want to get to, but we have got to make sure we do it methodically, in the right way that is sustainable.”

  

• Chelsea target Rafael Leao has signed a new long-term contract at AC Milan.

  Leao has been subject of interest all over Europe with Chelsea and Arsenal both linked to the impressive Portuguese winger.

  The Blues had previously held talks with Leao over a move to the Premier League but hopes of a move are now over after the fresh contract was agreed.

  He collected 24 goal involvements in 34 appearances in Serie A this season after being instrumental in AC Milan’s title win last campaign.

  And he has now been rewarded with a new deal until June 2028 which includes a hefty release clause of 175 million euros.

  

• Mason Mount’s move to Manchester United has reportedly hit a hurdle.

  talkSPORT understands that personal terms have been agreed between Mount and Man United.

  However, Football Insider claim that the transfer fee is still yet to be agreed for the midfielder with Chelsea holding out for around £60million.

  The Red Devils are remaining positive about completing the deal for the England international as they remain in pole position in the race to sign him.

  

• Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez has hinted at being relieved that he didn’t sign for Chelsea last summer.

  Chelsea reportedly made multiple attempts to sign the Mexican late in the window last year but Ajax turned all the offers down.

  Alvarez was then rumoured to be disappointed by the rejections as he wanted to join the Premier League side, however, he has now hinted that he is relieved he didn’t join.

  Speaking to Voetbal International, he said: “At first, it felt like a mental challenge. Still, I turned the switch again afterwards, because Ajax is also a big club.

  “I also believe that everything in life happens for a reason. If you see Chelsea’s season now, for example, also with all kinds of problems, then maybe it should have been that way.

  “And this season, however difficult, has also been educational for me.”

  

• Chelsea appear to be slipping behind in the race to sign Victor Osimhen, according to the latest reports from Italy.

  Gazetta dello Sport claim Manchester United and Newcastle have made direct contact with the Nigerian striker, who helped Napoli win Serie A this year.

  The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for Osimhen, who is set to cost way more than £100million, but their Premier League rivals appear to have stolen a march.

  Given the striker scored 25 league goals, just 12 fewer than Chelsea, you would think they would be all over this deal.

  

• Joao Felix will reportedly be offered to Newcastle after his loan spell at Chelsea came to an end.

  It has already been revealed that Felix will not be making his move to the Blues permanent this summer amid the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino.

  Just a day after the campaign’s conclusion, Pochettino was announced as the west London side’s new manager.

  And he took little time to get started, with the Argentine already deciding he doesn’t want to keep Felix for next season.

  Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo revealed: “We have been informed that Pochettino does not count with Joao Félix for Chelsea. He will return here, we’ll see…”

  Now, according to the Daily Mail, Newcastle will be offered the chance to sign Felix on loan this summer.

  The Magpies are out to add players with more European experience to their squad as they make their long-awaited return to the Champions League next season.

  

• New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has received congratulations from Harry Kane following his unveiling as boss on Monday.

  Pochettino was Kane’s manager at Tottenham for five years, with England’s all-time top goalscorer recalling their time together as he spoke at at Reuters event in New York.

  “Mauricio was an amazing manager for me. Great person, great, great coach. He helped me a lot to get to where I am now,” he said.

  “So I’m really appreciative of him. Everyone has their career, everyone has their future. So all I can say is I wish him all the best. I hope he does well – just obviously not as well as us!”

  

• Chelsea’s Kai Havertz is a target for Real Madrid during the transfer window, according to Relevo.

  Havertz is one of the names linked to Madrid who are awaiting a final decision from striker Karim Benzema.

  Benzema looked set to leave the Spanish side to head to Saudi Arabia this summer but new reports claim he may remain at the club.

  Harry Kane is Real’s main target if he does leave but with doubts over the difficulty of negotiations with Tottenham, Havertz has been identified as an alternative.

  However, Relevo also claim that the German may been approached even if Benzema stays with his ability to play across the front line desired following the likely sale of Marco Asensio.

  

• Inter Milan are pushing to sign Chelsea defender Trevor Chalobah this summer.

  talkSPORT understands that Chalobah could be one of five homegrown Blues players to leave the club during the overhaul of their squad.

  And according to the Evening Standard, Inter Milan are stepping up their efforts to sign the 23-year-old before new manager Mauricio Pochettino arrives at the Stamford Bridge.

  Chelsea are reportedly valuing Chalobah at around £25million with Inter said to be willing to match that price to bring the English centre-back to Italy.

  

• Three Chelsea players have been names in talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor’s Flop Team of the Season.

  Agbonlahor has named a forward-heavy starting XI, which includes three Chelsea players – all of whom were signed since Todd Boehly assumed ownership.

  Marc Cucurella, Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix were all selected and the former Aston Villa striker explained his picks on talkSPORT Breakfast.

  He said: “Very, very poor season, he [Cucurella] got brought in for £62million, been very, very poor. On the ball, technically, not very good.

  “Mudryk, a very poor season, zero goals in the Premier League. I think he will be better next season, but this season he has to be in that flop team of the season.

  “Joao Felix, his goals speak for themselves, four goals this season, not good enough for someone of his standard, there’s a player in there of course.

  “But the team at the time didn’t suit him at Chelsea.”