Manchester United have made an initial offer to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte, according to reports from L’Equipe. The French outlet states that PSG has turned down United’s first bid for the Uruguayan international, who has garnered interest from several clubs across Europe this summer.
Ugarte, who joined PSG from Sporting Lisbon last year in a deal worth £51.8 million, struggled to secure a regular starting spot under Luis Enrique last season. Despite his contract running until 2028, he faced challenges in maintaining a consistent place in the team, starting in only 21 Ligue 1 matches and missing both legs of the Champions League semi-final against Borussia Dortmund.
Manchester United’s renewed interest in Ugarte comes after their pursuit of him last year, which was unsuccessful as he opted for PSG instead. Manager Erik ten Hag’s side is aiming to bolster their midfield this summer, especially with rumors surrounding the potential departure of Casemiro from the club, amid interest from Saudi Pro League clubs.
Fabrizio Romano has indicated uncertainties over the futures of three United midfielders: Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Sofyan Amrabat. While Casemiro and Eriksen could be on the move, Amrabat’s future remains undecided following his solid loan performances in the Premier League.
Despite PSG rejecting their initial bid, United, backed by INEOS, are continuing negotiations to secure Ugarte’s signature. The Red Devils are keen on refreshing their squad after a disappointing league campaign and are particularly focused on young talents this summer, aligning with their new transfer strategy under part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ugarte, currently involved in international duty with Uruguay at the 2024 Copa America, is also reportedly attracting interest from AC Milan, indicating competition for his services in the transfer market. Additionally, Manchester United is advancing talks to potentially sign Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, highlighting their proactive approach to strengthening their squad for the upcoming season.Manchester United’s pursuit of Manuel Ugarte reflects their intent to strengthen the midfield, especially with the potential departures of key players like Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. Despite PSG’s rejection of United’s initial bid, the club remains persistent, buoyed by INEOS’s financial backing. Ugarte’s struggle for regular playtime at PSG and his current involvement in the Copa America make him a prime target for United, who are also eyeing young talents such as Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee to rejuvenate their squad under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership. The competition from clubs like AC Milan underscores the high demand for Ugarte this summer.
