Manuel Ugarte is ready to jet to England and sign for Manchester United, according to reports, with the Uruguayan’s proposed Premier League switch expected to kick up a notch in the wake of Scott McTominay’s move from the Red Devils to Napoli.
United have been hot on the heels of Ugarte all summer, and McTominay’s imminent £25million Serie A transfer is set to be the trigger for Erik ten Hag to finally welcome his top midfield target.
Paris Saint-Germain have been holding out for the £51m they paid Sporting last summer, though reports indicate that two clubs have found room to compromise on the price. And while a loan move has been explored, Fabrizio Romano claims that Ugarte is on the cusp of a permanent transfer to United.
The 23-year-old has not been involved in either of PSG’s two Ligue 1 matches so far this season as manager Luis Enrique prepares for his departure. Ugarte is said to have impressed United chiefs with his desire to play for the club, and he is now ‘ready to travel’ with a deal for his services ‘set to close’.
That being said, McTominay’s move to Napoli is not yet signed and sealed. United and the Azzurri have agreed on a fee for the midfielder but matters will not progress unless he himself gives the green light.
McTominay joined United’s academy as a young schoolboy and has made more than 250 appearances since breaking into the first team. But Ugarte’s prospective arrival would likely see him consigned to the bench.
Ten Hag has started the new season with Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro as his two holding midfielders. Ugarte would likely replace McTominay as the next in line, with Christian Eriksen permitted to leave Old Trafford before the summer deadline.
United have been less than convincing in their two Premier League games so far this campaign. They required a late goal from Joshua Zirkzee to see off Fulham at home, before they were beaten at Brighton on Saturday afternoon.
Ten Hag called for his players to be more organised heading into the rest of the season, and Ugarte’s introduction to the line-up could help to that end. “We concede two soft goals when we should act better as a team,” he said.
“We have to talk, we have to be alive in certain moments, (we have to know) what to do and (make sure) everyone knows their job as a team in how we protect our goal.”
