Man Utd get 'IDEAL' transfer message from top Ten Hag target

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 28 Jun 2024 16:01 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United have been boosted in their pursuit for one of their top transfer targets this summer, with the player seeing Old Trafford as his ‘ideal destination’ and a deal ready to be struck.

United have been trying to manoeuvre the market under tight constraints but have so far been knocked back in their approaches for players such as Jarrad Branthwaite and Joao Neves.

But Erik ten Hag may have finally made a breakthrough with one of his midfield targets, with Manuel Ugarte given a ‘90% chance’ to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer, according to reports in Uruguay.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals

Ugarte has been pursued intensely by United in recent weeks and the 23-year-old is thought to be keen on the move, with his representatives describing it as ‘ideal’.

Luis Enrique has allegedly told Ugarte that he is not counting on him for next season, despite the Uruguayan only joining PSG last summer for €60 million.

United will look to sell Casemiro this summer and are reportedly ready to meet PSG’s demands to sign Ugarte in the hope that the ex-Sporting midfielder can be their replacement for the Brazilian.

Why has Ugarte fallen out of favour at PSG?

Ugarte is still highly-rated amongst clubs despite his disappointing stint at PSG so far, having allegedly rejecting Chelsea to join the French giants last summer.

STATS

Manuel Ugarte

DM (CRL)

PSG

Manuel Ugarte

DM (CRL)

PSG

All Tournaments

2023/24

• 37

  Games

• 0

  Goals

• 2

  Assists

View all stats

Only four outfield players played more minutes in the league for PSG than Ugarte last season, however it is thought that Enrique prefers a midfielder with more quality on the ball.

READ MORE: 10 players who could join Man Utd this summer

Ugarte’s ability as a defensive-minded option was praised last season, with the player being nominated for the Ligue 1 player of the month award in August 2023.

But, despite his bright start, PSG appeared to rely less and less on Ugarte, with only five of his last 11 appearances coming as a starter.

United, meanwhile, are looking to strengthen in midfield, particularly with a holding player to replace Casemiro as well as Sofyan Amrabat, who will return to Fiorentina after his underwhelming loan spell.