Your morning Chelsea transfer round-up on Thursday, June 1.
Chelsea given Manuel Ugarte transfer solution as Mauricio Pochettino's wage bill issue solved
Chelsea have a chance to solve their wage bill issues and press ahead with a move for Sporting CP star Manuel Ugarte. Galatasaray have made contact with the Blues over a potential deal to sign flop signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Pochettino has identified Ugarte as a priority signing with the Blues currently in talks with Sporting over a £52million deal to sign the 22-year-old midfielder. Todd Boehly has offered a wage package much lower than Paris Saint-Germain are offering Ugarte - however, the American may be willing to improve his offer if Aubameyang leaves Chelsea and frees up more space on the wage bill.
According to Turkish journalist Ertan Süzgün, Galatasaray have initiated discussions with the Blues and want to sign the 33-year-old. Aubameyang's current deal is set to expire at the end of next season but his future is in doubt after a poor debut season - scoring just three goals in 22 appearances.
READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino already has striker plan as Chelsea join Man Utd and Bayern transfer race
Chelsea enter £34.6m transfer race to sign dream Mason Mount replacement for Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino could find his disappointment regarding a likely summer departure for Mason Mount lessened with Chelsea finding their new boss a dream replacement. The 24-year-old has been loosely discussing new contract terms throughout the 2022/23 season but little to any significant progress has been made which looks set to result in Mount leaving his boyhood club.
Ugarte is seen as the top option out of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Manu Kone to partner Enzo Fernandez with numerous midfield stars expected to depart. Mount and Loftus-Cheek are joined by Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante on that list, with contract extension talks for the latter stalling.
Therefore, bolstering the midfield ranks could be a priority for Pochettino and the Blues may have just found the perfect replacement for Mount. Celta Vigo star Gabri Veiga is attracting very strong interest from a number of top European clubs with Chelsea the latest to join the race, according to AS in Spain.
Arsenal have been keeping tabs on the attacking midfielder for much of 2023, while Manchester United, Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also monitoring his situation. One of those seven clubs looks likely to agree a transfer for Veiga, with his €40million (£34.6m) release clause making a move much easier, and the report also clearly states the 21-year-old will not remain at Celta for the 2023/24 season.
Man City open Mateo Kovacic talks as Chelsea transfer stance revealed amid Pochettino arrival
Manchester City have opened talks to sign Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic this summer. The Blues are set to move on a number of senior players with the Croatian entering the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Kovacic returned from injury in the final game of the Premier League season as Frank Lampard ended his spell as caretaker boss with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle. The 29-year-old has endured a number of injury problems this season and now looks set to have made his last appearances for the Blues.
According to Fabrizio Romano, positive discussions have taken place with the player’s camp in the last few days over personal terms. The transfer guru added that Chelsea are open to selling Kovacic as part of their midfield revolution with talks set to continue soon.
READ NEXT:
Manuel Ugarte to Chelsea transfer: Player stance, PSG advantage, £2.6m problem, Pochettino call
Two Chelsea stars follow Aubameyang first out of the door as Pochettino launches strict plan
Inside Mason Mount contract negotiations with Chelsea as Pochettino gets involved
Mauricio Pochettino faces crucial £2.6m Chelsea problem in Manuel Ugarte transfer race with PSG
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Moises Caicedo agreement, Manuel Ugarte worry, Gabri Veiga move
