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Manchester United are currently trying to agree a deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Manuel Ugarte, who has been the club’s top priority to improve their midfield.
Following Casemiro’s struggles last season and in pre-season, INEOS decided a new defensive midfielder was essential to their plans and promptly agreed personal terms with the Uruguayan.
However, finding a middle ground with the Ligue 1 side proved to be quite the challenge as PSG stuck to a ridiculous valuation even though they were not fans of the 23-year-old and had signed his replacement in Joao Neves.
Talks have dragged on for weeks now, and that is why Sky Sports have claimed that the three-time Champions League winners have kept their options open.
Midfield alternatives
The club remain in talks with Fiorentina for Sofyan Amrabat, who would like to return to Manchester despite a mediocre loan spell last campaign.
He finished on a high with a fine display in the FA Cup final but United have refused to pay over the odds and were eyeing either a cut-price move or another loan.
And Frenkie de Jong‘s name refuses to go away with the club trying for him every summer since Ten Hag’s entry as manager.
The 20-time English league champions are still keeping an eye on the Netherlands international should an opportunity present itself. He has entered the final two years of his deal with Barcelona.
“United are also looking at other midfield options with dialogue open with Fiorentina over Sofyan Amrabat, who would be much cheaper than Ugarte
“And, interestingly, United will always have an eye on Frenkie de Jong’s situation at Barcelona. They have long admired the midfielder, who they tried to sign last summer, and he has entered the final two years of his contract.”
Ugarte deal close
Whether the club still recruit the Moroccan on loan remains to be seen. For now, things are finally looking up for the Red Devils with a transfer for Ugarte said to be nearing completion.
However, the formula for the deal remains unclear as of now. The English giants can only afford to pay PSG’s asking price in full should they manage to move on Jadon Sancho or Scott McTominay.
So far, both remain at Old Trafford with PSG distancing themselves from a deal for Sancho while Borussia Dortmund and Juventus keep lurking. Napoli remain the only real contenders for the Scotsman at this stage.
That means a loan with an obligation to buy could be the approach being taken to land Ugarte. Either way, the manager and the new co-owners should be happy if they wrap up the deal for their desired profile before the chaos of deadline day.
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