Quick Read
- Manchester United has set a £35 million price tag on Manuel Ugarte to facilitate a summer midfield overhaul.
- Juventus has emerged as a primary suitor, with scouting efforts already underway to evaluate the midfielder.
- The club is prioritizing a more physically dominant midfield profile, leading them to move away from other targets like Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton.
MANCHESTER (Azat TV) – Manchester United has officially signaled its intent to offload midfielder Manuel Ugarte this summer, setting an asking price of £35 million as interest from Juventus intensifies. The move marks a pivotal shift in the club’s strategy under Director of Football Jason Wilcox, who is tasked with a significant midfield reconstruction to align with the team’s long-term competitive objectives.
Juventus eyes midfield reinforcements via Ugarte
The 25-year-old Uruguayan international has struggled to secure a consistent starting role at Old Trafford, currently finding himself behind Casemiro in the pecking order. According to reports from Sky Sport, Juventus sporting director Marco Ottolini has been closely monitoring the player, with recent scouting conducted during Uruguay’s international fixtures. The Serie A giants view Ugarte as a prime candidate to bolster their engine room, provided the financial terms align with their budget.
The strategic pivot: Balancing the books and the squad
Manchester United’s decision to move on from Ugarte is driven by a need to clear salary space and generate funds for high-priority targets. With his current wages at £120,000 per week, his departure would provide essential liquidity for the club’s pursuit of new, more physically dominant profiles. Internal discussions have even explored the possibility of a player-plus-cash deal, specifically involving Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana, as United seeks to rectify the balance of its current midfield, which has been described as lacking necessary defensive stability.
Navigating the Premier League transfer landscape
The club’s recruitment efforts are currently defined by a high degree of selectivity. Sources close to the club indicate that United has already pivoted away from potential targets like Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton, citing concerns over wage demands and tactical compatibility with Kobbie Mainoo. By setting a firm £35 million price tag on Ugarte, the club is aiming to recoup a significant portion of its initial investment while providing the midfielder a path to consistent first-team football elsewhere. While manager Michael Carrick has publicly praised Ugarte’s training ground attitude, the reality of the squad refresh suggests that his future lies away from Manchester.
The potential departure of Ugarte reflects a broader realization at Old Trafford that the current midfield composition is not yet at the required Champions League caliber, necessitating a move toward players who offer both immediate technical quality and physical durability.