Manchester United confident that Manuel Ugarte’s price will fall as transfer window progresses

Manchester United’s next target seems to be a defensive midfielder but their chase for Manuel Ugarte has not gone according to plan. However, the club remains confident that a deal can be struck on their terms.

The Red Devils’ offers have fallen well short of Paris Saint-Germain’s valuation who remain open to offloading the Uruguayan who they feel is not up to their standards.

The 23-year-old is keen to move to Old Trafford but for that to happen, United will need to offload players to raise capital. So far, moving on Casemiro has proved more difficult than anticipated.

The Ligue 1 side are unlikely to accept a loan proposal and there were rumours that the deal could collapse as United shifted their attention to the likes of Sofyan Amrabat, Adrien Rabiot and Morten Hjulmand.

Ugarte deal might yet happen

But Givemesport have claimed that the 20-time English league champions are playing the waiting game because they are confident that the player’s price will come down.

PSG are close to signing Joao Neves, a former United target, and that will result in the Copa America star falling even lower down the pecking order.

The French side will realise that they are unlikely to receive as high an offer as they expect for a player who is not a first team regular.

The player will also agitate for a move away as the end of the window approaches and it is then that the Old Trafford side will try to strike a deal.

“Manchester United are refusing to lose hope in their pursuit of Ugarte, according to GMS sources, as there is a strong belief that his price tag will be slashed as the closure of the transfer window looms due to failing to feature at the forefront of PSG head coach Luis Enrique’s plans for the upcoming campaign.

United expect PSG to lower Ugarte price

“Although the reigning Ligue 1 champions are currently holding out for £59 million, the Red Devils are adamant that their lofty demands for the Uruguay international will drop as a result of being in line for limited game time if he remains at the Parc des Princes instead of embarking on a fresh challenge.

“GMS sources have been informed that Ugarte is still Manchester United’s top target for the defensive midfield position as they seek an ideal partner for academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the park, and they are prepared to play the waiting game in order to better their chances of reaching a compromise with PSG.”

Going by the report, this deal is likely to happen during the closing stages of the window and United cannot afford to not keep backup options ready should anything untoward happen.

That is why Amrabat remains an option, possibly on loan, while free agent Rabiot continues to get linked. However, whether either are good enough for the club is another question altogether.

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