Sky Sports: Man United’s “preference” remains a permanent transfer for Manuel Ugarte | OneFootball

Manchester United’s “preference” remains a permanent transfer for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte despite recent reports indicating the club were exploring a loan deal with an obligation to buy.

Ugarte, 23, has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford after emerging as the Red Devils’ first-choice target to upgrade Erik ten Hag’s midfield unit. The Uruguayan international is a defensive midfielder who ranks highly across metrics for tackles, interceptions, blocks and possession regains. He is a fantastic presser with an unrelenting engine and an aggressive style.

From this perspective, it is evident why United are keen to the 23-year-old to a team in desperate need of more energy and industry in midfield. The system Ten Hag is seeking to cultivate at Old Trafford this season, predicated on a high-press and dominating transitions, lends itself perfectly to Ugarte’s game.

However, PSG’s valuation of their midfielder earlier in the summer – believed to be as high as €70 million – was firmly rejected by United executives as excessive. At a minimum, the Ligue 1 champions wanted to recoup the €60 million fee they paid Sporting Lisbon the previous summer for Ugarte.

Last month, a report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed United had tabled a bid worth €45 million including bonuses but it was not accepted by PSG. Negotiations continued in the background but Old Trafford officials began exploring deals for alternative targets, including Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco) and Sander Berge (Burnley).

Ugarte remained the club’s priority, however, with United believing PSG would be forced to cave on their demands as the summer transfer window drew to a close. The French club are over-stacked in midfield following the signing of Joao Neves from Benfica and Ugarte was himself actively pushing for a move to Old Trafford.

United’s transfer budget has been a source of acute concern for the club this summer. Early deals for Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro meant the Red Devils then had to focus on sales before any deals for further recruits could be agreed.

This financial constraint had led United to explore the potential of loan move for Ugarte. PSG were only willing to entertain this style of deal if it included an obligation to buy clause, however. This would enable Old Trafford officials to delay the payment for Ugarte until next summer and, therefore, the Uruguayan international would not constitute a hit on this transfer window’s budget.

It was an arrangement which appeared to make sense for both parties. Which is why the update from Sky Sport that a “permanent deal” remains the “preference” for PSG and United comes as a something of a surprise, but offers positivity that the Premier League club have the financial flexibility to agree a move.

Tweet: “Talks advancing between Manchester United & PSG over Manuel Ugarte. Cautious optimism move can happen before deadline. Permanent deal is preference for both United & PSG – but loan with obligation also mooted. #MUFC #PSG”

Sky Sport’s chief reporter, Dharmesh Sheth, reveals there is “cautious optimism” a deal for Ugarte will be struck before the September 1 deadline with “talks advancing” between the two clubs. Sheth does reference how a loan with obligation offer has been “mooted” but the “preference” remains a permanent deal.

If United are able to add the combative Uruguayan midfielder to a transfer window which has already seen the club sign Zirzkee, Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, it would constitute a much-needed rebuild few thought the Reds would be able to afford this summer.

Play for free to win the new United kit!

We’re awarding a new prize every PL matchweek, courtesy of Goat Kits! To play, just (1) Join the brand new weekly PL Challenge league here with our league code puu1tk and enter this week’s competition. (2) Follow The Peoples Person on X and answer the tie breaker question. Full instructions and rules here.

You can also visit Goat Kits at goatkitstore.com and use discount code TPP30 to get 30% off your first purchase!