Manchester United will reportedly step up their interest in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte once they have officially confirmed the arrival of Leny Yoro from Lille.
The Red Devils kicked off their summer spending on Sunday, bringing in Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, and Yoro will soon be announced as the club's second arrival of the current market.
According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Man United are now planning to step up their interest in Ugarte, having identified the 23-year-old as their leading midfield target this summer.
Plettenberg claims that the Uruguay international is keen to make the move to Old Trafford, but the two clubs have not yet managed to come to an agreement over a fee despite preliminary talks.
A new midfielder is viewed as a priority for Man United this summer, and the arrival of Ugarte could lead to either Scott McTominay or Casemiro leaving, while Christian Eriksen is also said to be available.
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How did Ugarte perform for PSG last season?
Ugarte made the move to PSG from Sporting Lisbon last summer, and he represented the French giants on 37 occasions during the 2023-24 campaign, providing three assists in the process.
The midfielder's three assists all came in Ligue 1, but he also played eight times in the Champions League, helping Luis Enrique's side to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Ugarte was an unused substitute for both legs of the final-four battle with Borussia Dortmund, though, and it is understood that PSG are willing to let him leave this summer.
The midfielder was in impressive form for Uruguay at the Copa America, meanwhile, helping his country to finish third in this summer's tournament.
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How much will Ugarte cost?
PSG are believed to have paid Sporting just over £51m for Ugarte last summer, and it had previously been suggested that the French champions wanted to recoup that fee.
However, there have since been claims that a deal could be done for around £40m, while there have also been suggestions of a potential loan move taking place.
Man United are under pressure to make some more first-team sales this summer, with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka being linked with exits alongside Casemiro, McTominay and Eriksen.
The club are also on the verge of selling Mason Greenwood to Marseille, while a summer exit for Jadon Sancho cannot be ruled out despite the Englishman repairing his relationship with head coach Erik ten Hag.
Matt Law
