The Sporting CP midfielder is getting strong interest from a number of Premier League clubs.
According to rumors, Newcastle United will send scouts to watch Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte this weekend in preparation for a possible move to the Premier League.
According to The Athletic, Eddie Howe is set to enter the upcoming transfer window in search of a new number six, and with the 22-year-old being Ruben Amorim’s top-performing defensive player and third overall with a WhoScored match rating of 7.08, Ugarte has seemingly been identified as an ideal deep-lying target on the market by the manager.
Back in April, Record reported that the Jose Alvalade Stadium club may be forced to sell some of their most prized assets at the end of the season in order to fund new signings, and the Magpies were credited with a “growing interest,” as a result of which they are believed to have promised to submit an official proposal ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Newcastle and Liverpool will both “have representatives” in Lisbon this weekend to “focus” on Ugarte during Sporting CP’s match against Benfica on Sunday, according to Portuguese publication Correio da Manha (via Sport Witness).
As of now, it’s unclear which of the two suitors is leading the hunt, but it’s worth noting that the midfielder has a €60 million (£52 million) release clause in his contract, as well as the fact that Aston Villa are said to have previously had communication discussing a trade, according to A Bola.
Newcastle are definitely serious about acquiring Ugarte’s services, having first committed to table a proposal and now dispatching officials to examine him in action, and if they are able to secure a deal for the defensive midfielder, it would be a big coup for PIF and Howe.
According to FBRef, the World Cup player ranks in the 99th percentile for tackles, having made 114 this season, more than any other member of his squad, and the 98th percentile for interceptions, indicating that he enjoys getting involved and regaining possession for his team.
Sporting’s “warrior,” as talent scout Jacek Kulig refers to him, has the versatility to play slightly higher up in central midfield alongside his natural position, and is also capable of contributing to efforts at the opposite end of the pitch, having provided three assists and scoring one goal since joining, so this is a no-brainer of a move to pursue should the opportunity arise.
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