Ugarte edges closer to Man Utd with PSG exit hint

Cameron Smith

• 13 Aug 2024 19:00 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United target Manuel Ugarte has been left out of Paris Saint-Germain training matches by Luis Enrique, according to reports in France.

The Uruguay international has been heavily linked with a summer move to Old Trafford, but Man Utd are yet to match PSG’s €60 million asking price.

FootballTransfers understands that Ugarte remains Man Utd’s priority midfield target, although a deal is unlikely to happen until closer to the end of the summer transfer window.

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

Burnley midfielder Sander Berge is considered to be an alternative, as exclusively revealed by The Transfers Podcast, and the Norwegian was absent during the Clarets’ 4-1 win over Luton Town on Monday night.

Although he is admired by Man Utd chiefs, we have been informed that Ugarte is still the club’s first-choice option.

Furthermore, L’Equipe have reported that Ugarte has been left out of PSG training matches by Enrique, with his future at the club currently uncertain.

EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd consider Ugarte priority despite Berge approach

Danilo Pereira and Nordi Mukiele have also been absent, with both players linked with summer exits too.

We understand that Ugarte is not in Enrique’s plans for the upcoming season, although PSG have not yet lowered their €60m asking price, despite the Uruguayan’s current status at the Parc des Princes.

However, Ugarte’s exclusion from training matches suggests that a move away is certainly plausible, with Man Utd deemed his most likely destination as things stand.

Man Utd’s summer transfer business

Man Utd have already signed Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro so far this summer, while Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui are on the verge of joining the club from Bayern Munich.

Signing a new central midfielder is Man Utd’s next priority, although they have also been linked with a move for Barcelona winger Raphinha amid the uncertain futures of Antony and Jadon Sancho.

Ivan Toney and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are being monitored too, as per reports, with Man Utd considering purchasing another striker.