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Manchester United’s pursuit of Paris Saint Germain’s defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte received a welcome boost last night as it was revealed the player is keen to come to Old Trafford.
It has been widely reported that United are in talks with PSG about the Uruguayan, among other players, although earlier reports that a bid had been lodged were refuted by top tier journalists such as Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic.
The French club would like to recoup what they paid for the 23-year-old just one year ago when he was signed from Sporting Lisbon, meaning a fee of over £50 million would be needed.
This is an amount United – who also may need to sell Casemiro to fund the deal – are reluctant to pay.
However, negotiations seem to be continuing, which is a positive sign, while news coming out of Montevideo offers great encouragement for the Red Devils.
Uruguay Fichajes claim that “United are seen as an ideal destination by the group that represents the player, and Ugarte himself would love to play there.”
Furthermore, they add that “PSG will listen to offers and [there is a] 90% [chance] he will leave the French club since he is not the coach’s priority.”
Más info sobre Manuel Ugarte👇🏽
➡️ Manchester United🏴 es visto como un destino ideal por parte del grupo que representa al jugador, ademas que al propio Ugarte le encantaría jugar ahí.
➡️ PSG🇫🇷 escuchará ofertas y en un 90% dejará al club francés ya que no es prioridad del DT. pic.twitter.com/KtTllNh5PF
— Traspasos🇺🇾 🇺🇾 (@URUGUAYFICHAJES) June 27, 2024
The same outlet reported on Wednesday that Ugarte is manager Erik ten Hag’s priority and that United are readying a €35 million bid for the player.
Más información sobre la posible llegada de Ugarte al Manchester United👇🏽
➡️ El uruguayo es prioridad de Erik Ten Hag🇳🇱, DT del club, para la posición de 5✅
➡️ Se espera una oferta inicial de 35 millones de Euros💶
➡️ Al jugador le encantaría jugar en la Premier League✅ pic.twitter.com/ukSO8oG2xe
— Traspasos🇺🇾 🇺🇾 (@URUGUAYFICHAJES) June 26, 2024
United have also reportedly made enquiries about other holding midfielders, in particular João Neves of Benfica, as they seek to strengthen an obvious area of weakness from last season.
However, with PSG themselves also interested in Neves and the Lisbon side demanding over €100 million for the player, United’s chances of landing him must be considered slim.
Thinking one step ahead, if PSG do acquire Neves it would certainly render Ugarte even more surplus to Luis Enrique’s requirements than he is already, which in turn could drive down the price.
As for the sale of Casemiro, United are hoping to get a bid from Saudi Arabia, the only really credible destination in terms of being able to offer anything like his £350,000 per week salary as a 32-year-old.
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