After strengthening their backline and attack, Manchester United’s next priority in the summer market is reinforcing their midfield.
Manuel Ugarte seems to be the target of choice with the Uruguayan keen on joining the Red Devils but INEOS will need to move players on before they can afford the defensive midfielder who is reportedly valued at €70 million.
United are even considering a loan approach but whether Paris Saint-Germain will accept is dependant on their battle to sign Joao Neves of Benfica.
The Portuguese wonderkid was initially a target for the Old Trafford side who had made a couple of bids but have since moved away to focus on the former Sporting Lisbon star.
Ugarte not the best fit for PSG
As per Teamtalk, PSG insiders feel they are upgrading their midfield with the sale of Ugarte and the acquisition of the Portugal international.
Despite costing a lot of money, the Uruguay international did not set the stage alight in France and the club feel the player’s overall game leaves a lot to be desired.
The Parisian club feel he is only effective when it comes to doing the dirty work but not much as else and hence, Neves is the ideal recruit.
“TEAMtalk has exclusively learned why PSG are zeroing in on signing Joao Neves who’ll take the place of Ugarte and facilitate his transfer to Old Trafford.
“We understand that PSG feel Ugarte is very limited and is not a ‘top level’ star. Furthermore, sources tell us PSG were left surprised at the standard of Ugarte following his arrival from Sporting, with the Uruguayan not the calibre of player they believed they were getting.
“Ugarte was anonymous for PSG for large portions of last season, with the campaign exposing the player’s limitations outside of the usual defensive responsibilities.
United handed warning
“He has been sound when it comes to fulfilling the defensive side of his brief, but failed to impress the PSG brass with his all-around game.”
United need a tenacious defensive midfielder with an engine and Ugarte does fit the bill, especially alongside the country’s newest superstar, Kobbie Mainoo, who loves to move forward with the ball.
But whether United will heed the warning and focus on some other target remains to be seen. There were reports which stated that the club tried to hijack Amadou Onana’s move to Aston Villa.
Whether that means other targets are also being monitored is still unclear. United’s stance will become clearer as the window progresses.
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