Paris Saint-Germain outcast Manuel Ugarte has been linked with a move to Liverpool
Uruguay international Manuel Ugarte’s agent has name-dropped Liverpool as a possible contender to sign the midfielder from Paris Saint-Germain in the ongoing summer transfer window.
Just a year after his high-profile transfer from Sporting CP to Paris Saint-Germain, Manuel Ugarte is already being linked with a move away from the Parc des Princes. The defensive midfielder started well at PSG but lost his place in the starting XI under Luis Enrique as the season progressed. He only managed 21 league starts in his debut season in the French capital as PSG won the Ligue 1 title.
The lack of regular opportunities during the second half of the 2023/24 season has cast a shadow over the 23-year-old’s future at PSG. Manuel Ugarte has been the subject of interest from Manchester United recently, with new co-owners INEOS trying to make him their first major signing of the summer transfer window.
However, Liverpool have seemingly entered the race for the tough-tackling Uruguayan’s signature, with his agent Jorge Chijane confirming the player’s desire to leave PSG. Jorge Chijane told Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (h/t TEAMtalk)
“Liverpool? There is a lot of talk, but it is not the only club, there are others. There are many possibilities on the table… It’s almost certain that he won’t stay; it’s sure he’ll leave. I believe the situation will be resolved.”
Manchester United have already launched an opening offer for Ugarte, who is set to be moved on by PSG this summer after failing to fulfil Luis Enrique’s demands. They tabled an opening offer of €35m which was immediately deemed insufficient and rejected by PSG, who have set a €60m valuation.
Given the aforementioned valuation, Liverpool must be all over Ugarte as he has the right blend of age, experience and skill set to thrive under Arne Slot. While a move at PSG hasn’t worked out as planned, the Uruguayan’s performances at his former club Sporting CP just cannot ignored.
The Reds are yet to replace Fabinho in defensive midfield sufficiently. Wataru Endo did a decent job last season but at 31, he is not a long-term solution in that area of weakness. This is where Ugarte’s acquisition would make sense for us. Energetic, tough-tackling and a decent passer of the ball, the Uruguayan would be a perfect midfield foil for Alexis Mac Allister in Slot’s preferred 4-2-3-1 system.
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Going by Chijane’s latest comments, Liverpool are among many clubs vying for Ugarte’s signature. Now that it has become clear the 23-year-old wants to leave Paris, we must do everything possible to beat Man United to his services.
