Manchester United are reportedly closing in on the signing of midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 23-year-old has been a primary midfield target for the Red Devils throughout the summer, and it is understood that the English giants have now agreed to sign the PSG man for an initial €50m (£42.2m) plus €10m (£8.5m) in potential add-ons.
Ugarte, a 22-cap Uruguay international who is travelling to the UK to undergo a medical, was of interest to Man United during a two-year spell at Sporting Lisbon before he completed a €60m transfer to PSG last summer.
The tenacious, tough-tackling defensive midfielder played 37 times for the Ligue 1 champions in all competitions last season, but he has now been persuaded to become part of the Red Devils project under Erik ten Hag.
Ugarte could be confirmed as a new Man United player in time for Sunday's Premier League showdown with Liverpool, and here, Sports Mole takes a look at how the Red Devils could line up with the South American.
The arrival of Ugarte, who has operated as a holding midfielder throughout his career and has made a name for himself in that position for Uruguay, is not expected to see Ten Hag veer away from his 4-2-3-1 formation.
Ugarte prides himself in how he defends and is a quicker, more athletic and energetic midfield enforcer compared to Casemiro, who at 32 is now exiting the prime years of his career and received widespread criticism for his performances during the second half of last season.
It would come as no surprise to see Ugarte and teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo links arms in midfield on a regular basis, with the former providing defensive cover and allowing the latter to burst further forward to join in with attacks.
Ugarte is set to be tasked with protecting a back four that could include Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt - a summer signing from Bayern Munich - Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw when every first-team member is fit. New recruits Noussair Mazraoui and Leny Yoro, as well as Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are other defensive options at Ten Hag's disposal.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of the first names on the teamsheet and the playmaker will primarily be deployed as a number 10, linking up with either Rasmus Hojlund or new signing Joshua Zirkzee up front.
Despite suffering a significant dip in form, Marcus Rashford remains a key part of Ten Hag's first-team squad and will hope to feature regularly on the left flank if Alejandro Garnacho is selected on the right wing.
Amad Diallo and Antony - an £85m signing just 12 months ago - are two more wide options for Ten Hag, while Jadon Sancho is widely expected to depart Old Trafford now that he is deemed surplus to requirements.
Oliver Thomas
