Liverpool have begun talks to potentially sign Manuel Ugarte this summer
According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo (h/t Liverpool Echo), talks are underway for Liverpool to potentially sign Sporting Lisdon midfielder Manuel Ugarte this summer.
Simon Jones of the Daily Mail has revealed that the Reds were scouting the Uruguay international during Sporting’s win over Famalicao on Sunday. Newcastle United’s scouts were there as well.
Echo reports that the 22-year-old’s contract with the Portuguese club has a release clause of £53m that can be triggered. His contract with them lasts until the summer of 2025 (Transfermarkt).
Ugarte is one of the best defensive midfielders in European football. His game has grown in the last 12-18 months, which bodes well for what he can potentially produce in the coming years.
It is well-known that Liverpool would be looking to sign midfielders to bolster that department this summer. Although Fabinho has done well in the last five games, his form this season has been worrying, to say the least.
Moreover, the Brazil international will turn 30 next season and could do with spreading out the minutes.
Ugarte, who can be an ideal replacement or backup to Fabinho, can be a good signing for the Reds. His attributes and the price tag should be an attractive prospect.
The pressure is on the Liverpool recruitment department to deliver the goods in the transfer market after pulling out of the Jude Bellingham deal because they want to spread out the money to various signings.
Looking at the midfield catastrophe of this season and what we witnessed against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, it would be fair to say that the club needs to sign three midfielders at the least.
More Liverpool News:
- Bayern Munich star Ryan Gravenberch backed to push for Liverpool transfer
- Manchester City and Newcastle United pull out of race for Liverpool target Mason Mount
- Liverpool target Jurrien Timber reveals a transfer is in place to leave Ajax in the summer
The other key thing would be to complete the signings as soon as the summer window starts. What it will do is get the new players to the squad from the first day of the pre-season.
