Fabrizio Romano confirmed yesterday that Manchester United are actively ‘working on’ deals for both Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte, with both players open to making the move to Old Trafford.
Now, the Reds have been handed a further boost in their pursuit of the midfielder.
As Ugarte is currently away on international duty at the Copa America, he’ll struggle to negotiate with clubs directly until he returns from the United States. Therefore, such conversations will be left to his agent, Jorge Chijane, and he’s now touched on the likelihood of the player leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Speaking to O Jogo, cited by The Mirror, Chijane revealed that there was another Premier League club considering a move for the 23-year-old Uruguayan.
“Liverpool? There is a lot of talk but it is not the only club. There are others. There are many possibilities on the table,” he declared before adding: “It’s almost certain that he won’t stay. It’s sure he’ll leave.
“I believe the situation will be resolved.”
Ugarte tops INEOS’ midfield shortlist as it stands
United were thought to be scouring the market for potential Casemiro replacements before eventually landing on Ugarte. They want a midfielder who can continue aiding Kobbie Mainoo’s development and helping the teenager flourish in his sophomore term of first-team action.
Whether or not Liverpool’s interest will materialise remains to be seen. They can offer the former Sporting Lisbon ace one thing United cannot – Champions League football next season.
Ugarte has only been at the Parc des Princes for a year following his £51.1 million switch last July, and it’s believed that the Ligue 1 giants would be unwilling to take much – if any – of what they paid for him.