EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd face Casemiro obstacle in Ugarte pursuit

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 20 Jul 2024 08:30 BST
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Manchester United may struggle to purchase Manuel Ugarte on a permanent deal should Casemiro fail to make an exit to the Saudi Pro League, FootballTransfers has been told.

The Brazil international is on a substantial salary of £350,000 a week and the only clubs looking to match that are in the Middle East. He will, therefore, not push for a transfer away from Old Trafford unless a substantial offer from Saudi Arabia materialises.

Despite this, we are told Man Utd are keen to offload both Casemiro and fellow midfielder Scott McTominay as part of a squad overhaul.

READ MORE: Man Utd sign ‘new Ronaldinho’

Additionally, the Red Devils are waiting to sell one of their current defenders before making a move for either Matthijs de Ligt or Jarrad Branthwaite.

However, the club’s immediate focus has shifted to securing the services of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

The 23-year-old - whose FootballTransfers’ Estimated Transfer Value algorithm (ETV) ranks at €41.4M -was acquired by PSG for €60 million last summer.

Man Utd switch focus to Manuel Ugarte

Club sources at the French club now value the player at €70m, given his young age and the fact his contract isn’t up at the Parc Des Princes until June 2028.

As well as Man Utd, clubs in Italy and Spain are thought to be keen, as well as another in the Premier League.

Compared

Casimiro

DM (C)

Man Utd

Casimiro

DM (C)

Man Utd

VS

Manuel Ugarte

M, DM (C)

PSG

Manuel Ugarte

M, DM (C)

PSG

2023/2024

Season Statistics

2023/2024

32	Appearances	37
22	Key Passes	14
28	Interceptions	49
3	Assists	2
100	Tackles	113

We are told that PSG are open to negotiations for Ugarte but would only do so as a sale or a loan with an obligation to buy, rather than a straightforward loan.

Ugarte has already verbally agreed terms with Man Utd and is eager to join up at Old Trafford. Recruitment chiefs at the side have admired the player since his days at Sporting CP when Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle also expressed an interest in the player.