INEOS test the waters with £42m offer for Ugarte alternative who ‘shocked’ Liverpool scouts

Despite this week’s speculation suggesting Manchester United are closing in on a deal for Manuel Ugarte, they haven’t ruled out alternative options should an agreement fail to materialise.

That’s if Alfredo Pedulla’s latest report is anything to by, anyway.

He claims that the Red Devils met with Atalanta for an already-scheduled meeting on August 20 to ‘settle some paperwork’ regarding Rasmus Hojlund’s transfer in 2023.

Then, United tested the waters by broaching the subject of midfield target Ederson and whether or not a fee of €50 million (£42m) would be enough to prise the Brazilian from their grasp.

Read more: Romano urges United fans to keep tabs on wantaway PL star who ‘would love’ Old Trafford move before deadline day

Atalanta uninterested in late Ederson deal

While the clubs are said to have an ‘excellent’ relationship, primarily due to their business involving Hojlund and Amad Diallo, the Italian outfit made it clear that they have no desire to part ways with Ederson this late in the transfer window.

The 24-year-old, who ‘shocked’ Liverpool scouts when they attended one of his games recently, was viewed as a more cut-price option, given that United are unwilling to meet Paris Saint-Germain’s £51m demands for Ugarte.

However, they’d seemingly prefer to pay that bit extra and sanction the Uruguayan’s arrival than increase their proposal for Ederson.