Paris Saint-Germain want “above £50 million” for Manuel Ugarte | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain are expecting to “recoup above the £50 million fee” they paid to sign Manuel Ugarte last summer amid reports linking the Uruguayan midfielder with a move to Manchester United.

Over the past 24 hours, sources in Paris claimed the Red Devils had tabled a bid for the 23-year-old but was immediately rejected by the French champions as it was “nowhere near” their valuation.

However, Pete Hall (inews) reveals that insiders at Old Trafford refute the idea a formal offer has made, which is further corroborated by Fabrizio Romano, who writes in his daily briefing, ” from what I’m hearing they have not presented an official bid to PSG for Manuel Ugarte.”

Interestingly, Romano further reveals United and PSG have a “good relationship” and that Ugarte was not the only topic of conversation during the club’s negotiations. While the Italian transfer guru does not clarify what else was discussed, it offers a potential lightning bolt to the long-standing links between Marcus Rashford and PSG – with the French club actively pursuing a forward to replace the recently departed Kylian Mbappe.

On the topic of Ugarte, United are not the only club interested in the Uruguayan international. Hall reveals one other Premier League club has made contact over a potential deal, while an unnamed Serie A side and Bayern Munich are also “in touch” with PSG.

Hall’s report’s further contends: “If PSG are going to sell, i understands the club want to recoup above the €60m (£50m) fee they paid Sporting Lisbon for his services last summer. They are aware that so much interest already will drive his price up.”

The Telegraph confirms this expectation in Paris of a return on the outlay they invested on Ugarte as PSG “would expect to recoup their fee.”

However, the report states this figure would be “in excess of what United are currently prepared to pay” and, as such, Old Trafford executives are currently “weighing up whether to make what they would consider a formal offer or if they should move on to other targets.”

Any approach for Ugarte at the price would likely be dependent on Casemiro being sold, given United’s restricted budget due to the Premier League’s profits and sustainability rules (PSR).

Hall describes it as “almost certain” the Brazilian will leave Manchester this summer with a number of Saudi Arabian clubs holding long-standing interest in a high-profile transfer. It’s highly unlikely a club outside of the Saudi Pro League would choose to offer the type of financial package Casemiro currently enjoys at Old Trafford.

Ugarte’s combative style which sees him excel in ball-winning statistics – he ranks in the 99th percentile for tackles and 96th for interceptions – would make him a natural replacement for Casemiro. At 23, with wages reported to be around half of Casemiro and a strong personality, Ugarte fits the type of profile INEOS are seeking to bring to United this summer.

It just remains to be seen whether the club’s transfer budget will stretch far enough to make the move happen.

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