Manuel Ugarte’s agent arrives in England to “discuss” move with Man United

The agent of key Manchester United target Manuel Ugarte has arrived in England to “discuss” a potential move to Old Trafford with the pressure on Paris Saint-Germain to sell their midfielder rising.

Fabrizio Romano reveals Jorge Mendes, the Portuguese super agent who represents a host of Europe’s elite talents, is “in England to discuss João Félix with Chelsea… and Manuel Ugarte with Man United.”

Tweet: “Jorge Mendes, in England to discuss João Félix with Chelsea… and Manuel Ugarte with Man United. Ugarte agreed personal terms with United weeks ago, PSG still see him leaving. United need price to be reduced… or one more sale, otherwise they will go for cheaper option.”

Old Trafford officials identified the Uruguay international as their primary target to upgrade Erik ten Hag’s midfield unit this summer.

PSG are open to selling Ugarte as the midfielder’s profile does not align with the possession-based system Luis Enrique is seeking to install in the French capital.

Ugarte, 23, joined the Ligue 1 champions from Sporting Lisbon last year in a deal worth €60 million (£51.1 million) and reports suggest PSG want to recoup this fee should the Uruguayan be sold this summer.

United, as Romano references in his update, are unwilling to match this fee and would need the “price to be reduced” to be able to sanction a deal. Alternatively, the Italian transfer guru contends, a potential sale could also free up enough funds to agree a move.

However, it’s unlikely Old Trafford’s new executive branch will be willing to meet PSG’s demands given the French club’s overt willingness to sell Ugarte. Why would a buying club pay full price for a player the selling club are so happy to see depart?

In fact, Enrique has gone as far as excluding Ugarte from PSG’s training matches, according to French reporter Loic Tanzi: “As a sign of Luis Enrique’s choices, during the training matches, Manuel Ugarte, Danilo and Nordi Mukiele are, for the moment, left out. The three could leave the club before the end of the window.”

Furthermore, Ugarte is reported to be extremely keen to complete the switch to Old Trafford with United agreeing personal terms with the midfielder weeks ago.

It makes perfect sense, therefore, why the club’s executives are seeking to hardball their Parisian counterparts over a fee given every interested party wants the deal to go through; from the player to his agent, to both clubs, to even both managers.

It appears United are content for the clock to tick closer to the September 1 deadline to crank up the pressure on PSG to compromise on their price. And given the success Old Trafford officials had in a similar dance with Bayern Munich over a joint raid for Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, it would be unwise to bet against them.

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