Chelsea have joined Premier League rivals Liverpool in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte this summer, according to a report on GOAL.

The Uruguayan is considered as one of the best young midfielders and it was recently reported that Liverpool could make a concrete proposal to sign the 22-year-old from the Portuguese outfit.

Chelsea are reportedly monitoring his performances and are keeping tabs his current situation at Sporting. Ugarte has already snubbed a new Sporting contract and could leave for a fee close to his £52m release clause.