COMMENT: Well, that wasn't in the script. He put in a personal call. He knew the player wanted the move. And terms between clubs had been agreed. But in the end, Manuel Ugarte did not become Mauricio Pochettino's first signing as Chelsea manager...

A young player. A midfielder. One to win a tackle. But also to play through the lines. It wasn't any real surprise Pochettino fancied the Uruguay international as the first of his reign. Ugarte would arrive as a first-choice. A player to complement - and release - the more attack-mind Enzo Fernandez in his midfield. And one to set the tone of this new era.

And it appeared the deal was a formality. Courtesy of a €60m buyout clause, Sporting CP were out of the picture. Chelsea's football chiefs, if they so wished, were under no obligation to contact Sporting. As soon as personal terms had been approved by Ugarte, the clause could be met and the Pochettino era begin.

And he was ready, was Ugarte. He was happy with the terms on the table. He was excited after being charmed by a personal call from Poch. The Uruguayan was all set to become the Chelsea manager's first signing.

But instead, the 22 year-old is now on his way to PSG. Like the Blues, PSG have met Ugarte's €60m buyout clause. The difference being the contract offer tabled is far superior to what was in front of him from Chelsea.

Now nothing is yet sealed. But such is PSG's confidence of an agreement that they're issuing taunts at Chelsea through the local French press. Directors inside the club are "baffled", they claim, that Chelsea raised the white flag so soon. PSG's Portuguese sporting director Luis Campos, particularly, was expecting a grind. But the whole process, after he caught wind of Chelsea's initial agreement, was completed in barely 24 hours... and with no counter offer to oppose.

Of course, the Parisians have enjoyed this. They've loved it. After being messed around by Chelsea on deadline day in January regarding Hakim Ziyech, they're revelling in this triumph. It cannot be underestimated how determined PSG were to trump Chelsea last week after the midseason fiasco. To have Ziyech in Paris and ready to sign - only for Chelsea to blow-up the deal - is something that still burns for Campos and his staff today.

So on PSG's side, there was a determination there. They wanted to make things as difficult and uncomfortable as they could for Todd Boehly's negotiators. But the surprise came when Chelsea simply retreated after the first sign of competition.

So what happened? Was PSG's offer to this 22 year-old Uruguayan really so outlandish - even for the free-spending Boehly? Well, the answer is actually... yes. And it will serve as a warning to Pochettino as he gets his feet under the desk at Cobham.

Chelsea made one offer to Ugarte's minders of around &euro,70,000-a-week. Again, the player was happy with the terms. It represented a major pay-raise on his wages with Sporting. Effectively, he was good to go.

But then stepped in Campos. PSG tabling an offer of €80,000-a-week. A substantial hike on what Chelsea had offered. But, crucially, not enough to dissuade Ugarte from pulling out of his London move.

But rather than back off, Campos came again. This time raising the stakes significantly. €180,000-a-week was offered Ugarte. Life-changing money. A proposal that affirmed how highly PSG regarded him. And how much they wanted him.

Ugarte's minders went back to Chelsea. They didn't have to match PSG's offer. Instead a significant increase on their original proposal would be enough. The player still favoured the Blues. Pochettino also wanted to see it done. But Chelsea declined. They didn't even bother with a counter offer. It was basically a take-it-or-leave-it 60,000 quid a week proposal. There would be no budging.

Given Chelsea's attitude, can anyone really blame Ugarte for his choice? Despite the encouragement. The coaxing from the player's camp. The Blues were unwilling to try again. They simply left Ugarte with no other option.

And for Poch this could be the norm. Chelsea's offer was no coincidence. We've touched on it in past columns. Insiders have boasted about how they've driven down the squad's average wage to £70,000-a-week. This is Chelsea's new standard. Crazy, of course, in the real world. But in the Premier League environment. At the level Chelsea are expected to aspire to. Such a cap isn't going to see them burn off any type of major competition when battling for elite talent. Throw in a lack of European football and it's difficult to see how this approach actually succeeds.

Is this the new Chelsea? Is this what Pochettino has signed up for? Time will tell.