Manchester City consider hijacking Manchester United transfer of 200-appearance Copa America semi-finalist | OneFootball

Manchester City have joined the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain and Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

The 23-year-old completed a €60 million move to PSG from Sporting Lisbon last July, signing a contract until 2028 at the Parc des Princes despite interest from Premier League trio Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham.

The midfielder, who helped Uruguay eliminate heavyweights Brazil to reach the Copa America semi-finals on Sunday after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win, made 37 appearances for PSG during the recent 2023/24 season.

Ugarte featured 33 times across the French top-flight and UEFA Champions League last season, but has been linked with a potential exit from PSG just 12 months after signing a long-term deal with the club.

Manchester United currently lead the race to sign the defensive midfielder, with Old Trafford considered as an ‘ideal destination’ for the 23-year-old this summer, according to Uruguayan outlet Fichajes.

Manchester City are expected to address concerns surrounding not having adequate cover for Rodri during the summer window, after the Spaniard revealed issues with burnout and fatigue during the recent domestic campaign, with the 28-year-old starting 50 matches for the Blues.

Etihad bosses could therefore look to hijack Manchester United’s attempts to sign Ugarte this summer, with Sport Witness relaying claims from outlet Le10 Sport, who report that Manchester City have already made ‘concrete moves’ to try and sign the PSG midfielder.

United and Barcelona have also reportedly taken steps to try and secure the signature of the Uruguay international, who has impressed at the Copa America tournament in the United States this summer.

Uruguay and Ugarte are due to face Columbia in the semi-finals of the blockbuster South American tournament on Thursday, with the midfielder’s future at PSG expected to be addressed following the conclusion of the player’s Copa America campaign.

Argentina will face Canada in the other semi-final, with Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez having helped Lionel Scaloni’s side to the last-four of the competition.