Manchester United have increased their interest in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte, The Pitch Prospect has learned.
With the signings of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro secured, Ugarte is United’s next priority target.
2
The Uruguayan is keen to move to Old Trafford, but PSG are sticking to a transfer fee of £50 million.
This is the same transfer fee that Les Parisiens had to pay for the 23-year-old last summer after activating his release clause at Sporting Lisbon.
The player appeared in 37 games across all competitions in his debut season at the Parc des Princes, winning both the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France.
However, he was only in the starting eleven in 21 first division matches and sat on the substitute bench eight times without being used.
Erik ten Hag was keen to sign a new defensive midfielder as there are still question marks over Casemiro.
Saudi Pro League teams Al Nassr and Al Ittihad are believed to be interested in the 32-year-old.
And it is believed that United would be willing to part with the Real Madrid icon if they received around £25-30 million plus potential bonuses – a huge discount on the £60 million they paid for him just two years ago.
Meanwhile, academy graduate Scott McTominay also faces an uncertain future after an offer from Fulham for the Scottish international was rejected.
2
It promises to be a busy summer at the Theatre of Dreams, with INEOS already flexing its muscles after Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquired a minority stake in the club.
In addition to Ugarte, United are also determined to bring Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt to the Premier League.
Should United sign the Dutch international, it would be a reunion between the defender and Erik ten Hag after the two worked together at Ajax.
De Ligt wants to join United and has verbally agreed terms with the teams. They are currently trying to reach an agreement on a transfer fee, which is believed to be in excess of £40 million.