Sources close to dealings between Chelsea & Sporting deny a minority stake in the Portuguese club was discussed in relation to the transfer, but PSG intended to write to Sporting for answers + escalate matter to UEFA until Chelsea pulled out on Sunday eve.

PSG’s draft legal letter cited UEFA rules that forbid one club from owning shares/securities in another while participating in UEFA competitions & expressed concern that commercial leverage such as a stake could be used to influence a transfer .

Chelsea pulled out after meeting release clause - they say because they felt salary offer from PSG too high - but PSG insist the player will be paid €3.4m annually, and Chelsea’s offer was higher. But reports in Portugal claim PSG offer much higher.

Because Chelsea pulled out, PSG did not escalate to actually sending the letter to Sporting, but a sign of the growing tension between PSG & Chelsea after previous row over Ziyech in January .