Aston Villa in talks with Sporting CP over a move for Manuel Ugarte

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 11 May 2023 17:14 BST
• 2 min read

Aston Villa are locked in talks with Sporting CP over a possible deal for Manuel Ugarte, who's also liked by Liverpool and Chelsea.

FootballTransfers can reveal that Unai Emery’s side are the surprising frontrunner for the midfielder. Barcelona revealed director of football Alemany would leave his role at the Nou Camp at the end of the season - with a move to Villa Park on the cards. He has already been busy for the upcoming window.

It comes after our story that Chelsea’s recruitment admire Manuel Ugarte but the process of finding their new manager is holding up any substantial move. The Blues are keen on the Sporting CP midfielder but their pursuit of Mauricio Pochettino is delaying matters.

The club already have a huge score of players among their ranks, some of which will need to be sold, and they are reluctant to pursue major signings until a long-term coach is signed and sealed, we are told.

READ MORE: Liverpool in race for £50million midfielder Romeo Lavia and Lyon youngster

Ugarte is of interest to Liverpool as well, as FootballTransfers reported earlier this week, with sources in Portugal saying that the club have been in talks with the Uruguayan for ‘two weeks’.

Liverpool in for Thuram

L’Equipe have reported that Thuram is liked by Liverpool and is available for €60m. It’s our understanding that the fee could be a lot less - somewhere like €45m - but a lot will depend on the amount of interest there is in the midfielder from other clubs.

We are told that Thuram is almost certain to leave this summer window, but that a move for centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, who has also been linked, is far more unlikely. The defender has had a slump in form recently and there are concerns that he is not quite ready for the switch this year at least.

Mason Mount and Alexis Mac Allister are considered as being among the main targets for Liverpool, as has been reported elsewhere.