Paris-Saint Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte could be set to join Manchester United in the “next few hours” with a deal for the 23-year-old “practically closed”, according to a report from Uruguay.
El País, a Uruguayan newspaper, reveals “everything is on track” for Ugarte to finally depart Paris for Manchester after weeks of protracted negotiations between the two clubs (as relayed by Sports Witness).
United had quickly settled on Ugarte as their primary target in midfield as the club seeks to continue their comprehensive overhaul of Erik ten Hag’s squad.
While there were enquiries made over potential alternatives, including Youssouf Fofana, Sander Berge and Sofyan Amrabat, it’s clear the Red Devils’ priority remained a deal for Ugarte.
PSG’s asking price – believed to be as high as €70 million at one point – was considered excessive by Old Trafford officials and, at one, threatened to derail negotiations completely.
The Ligue 1 champions appear more willing to accept a fee in the region of €60 million as this matches the one they paid Sporting Lisbon last summer for Ugarte.
There have been financial restraints at Old Trafford this summer, however. The acute pressure of the Premier League’s profits and sustainability rules (PSR) have meant United have been as focused on outgoing transfers as incoming ones, with the club seeking to generate additional funds from sales.
Yesterday, as explained in greater detail by The Peoples Person here, United agreed a €30 million deal to sell Scott McTominay to Serie A side Napoli. While there remain some details to be ironed out for the transfer to be rubber stamped, it appears a formality at this stage with all relevant parties open to the deal.
McTominay, 27, is an academy graduate and his transfer, therefore, will constitute ‘pure profit’ from a PSR perspective. The Athletic describe the sale as “important for United’s compliance Premier League and UEFA financial rules.”
Consequently, this increased financial flexibility will have played a crucial role in United’s ability to pursue Ugarte as a replacement for the Scottish international with reports suggesting the club are seeking a permanent transfer, rather than the loan with an obligation to buy deal previously reported.
It could be this development which has led to the breakthrough in negotiations and the transfer being “practically closed”, as La País reports.
And with United’s season receiving a disappointing reality check in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as the ominous prospect of bitter rivals Liverpool this Sunday, the addition of a combative defensive midfielder with elite European and international experience with time to be registered by the weekend will be a massive boost to Ten Hag’s squad.
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