Manchester United and Chelsea competing to sign Sporting Lisbon Star Manuel Ugarte


June 1, 2023 10:41 am

In a major development that has ignited the anticipation surrounding the summer transfer market, the representative of Manuel Ugarte, the talented star from Sporting Lisbon, has made a bold proclamation about his client’s future. With powerhouse clubs Chelsea and Manchester United displaying a keen interest in acquiring the midfielder’s services, Ugarte’s agent has confidently asserted that a transfer is highly likely to take place in the coming months.

Speculation surrounding Ugarte’s potential departure from Sporting has been circulating for several months, and the club’s manager, Ruben Amorim, acknowledged the challenges of retaining the Uruguayan player after their failure to secure a spot in the prestigious Champions League tournament. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet.

At the tender age of 22, Ugarte has attracted the attention of Europe’s elite through his exceptional performances throughout the season. However, he did face a minor setback during his sole visit to England this year, when Sporting faced Arsenal in the Europa League, as he received a red card in that match.

Nevertheless, this isolated incident hardly tarnishes Ugarte’s otherwise impressive track record, and if he does make a move this summer, he could potentially rival the magnitude of Bruno Fernandes’ transfer, which holds the record for Sporting’s highest-ever sale. Interestingly, it has been reported by Portuguese outlet A Bola that Fernandes’ current club, Manchester United, are attempting to hijack Chelsea’s pursuit of Ugarte, intensifying the competition for his signature.

Just last week, Sky Sports revealed that Ugarte is a primary target for new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, and the Blues are reportedly willing to activate the midfielder’s release clause of €60 million. Previous reports had also linked Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain with an interest in the talented player.

Ugarte’s agent has already provided a boost to these clubs, expressing his confidence that a deal to secure Ugarte’s services will materialize this summer. Speaking to O Jogo, Jorge Chijane stated that Ugarte’s departure is nearly certain and that renowned superagent Jorge Mendes would play a pivotal role in facilitating the transfer. Chijane further emphasized his faith in Mendes, referring to him as the “best businessman in the world,” adding that Mendes shared his vision for Ugarte’s future.

While Liverpool has been widely discussed as a potential destination, Chijane hinted that other clubs are also in the race, making the situation more intriguing. Despite the agent’s initial estimation that the matter would be resolved within 15 days, it appears that the negotiations have continued past that timeframe. Nonetheless, it remains plausible that a deal will be concluded early in the transfer window, with both Manchester United and Chelsea set to compete fiercely for Ugarte’s signature. Football fans around the world eagerly await the outcome of this highly sought-after transfer saga.

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