Manchester United Given Fresh Hope in Manuel Ugarte Pursuit as £25m Competitor Drops Out

As Manchester United edges closer to the end of the summer transfer window, the club is intensifying its efforts to secure a defensive midfielder, a key area of focus for Erik ten Hag as he looks to bolster his squad. With just over a week left before the window slams shut, United is navigating a flurry of transfer activity, having already made significant additions to the team.

A Busy Summer for United

This summer has seen Erik ten Hag enhance his squad with strategic signings. The club welcomed striker Joshua Zirkzee, defender Leny Yoro, as well as Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, the latter two joining just last week. These acquisitions were evident in United’s season opener against Fulham at Old Trafford, where three of the new signings made their competitive debuts. Zirkzee, in particular, made an immediate impact, coming off the bench to score the decisive goal that secured United’s victory.

Manuel Ugarte: A Transfer Opportunity Rekindled

In what could be a pivotal move for Manchester United, the club has been presented with a renewed opportunity to sign highly-rated midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. The Telegraph reports that there is “growing optimism” that United could finalize a deal before the transfer deadline. Initially, Ugarte emerged as a prime target for Ten Hag’s side, but negotiations hit a snag due to a disagreement over the player’s valuation, with PSG demanding €60 million (£51.2 million).

However, recent developments suggest that PSG is now open to a season-long loan arrangement with an obligation to buy, offering United a more flexible path to secure Ugarte’s services. Despite this, a gap of around €10 million (£8.54 million) remains between the two clubs’ valuations.

The Strategic Advantage of a Loan Deal

From United’s perspective, a loan deal could be financially advantageous, especially considering the club’s significant outlay during this transfer window. Delaying a full payment until next summer could provide United with the necessary breathing room in their transfer budget. As noted by Manchester Evening News, “A loan deal for United would make a deal easier to do, especially with the money they have spent so far this window, delaying a payment to PSG for a year will help in terms of transfer budget.”

However, the club must approach the deal cautiously. If the loan includes an option to buy at the end of the season, United would retain flexibility, similar to their arrangement with Sofyan Amrabat. This structure would allow the club to assess Ugarte’s impact before committing to a substantial transfer fee. “An option to buy at the end of the season…may be the best deal for the club,” MENSport suggests, though convincing PSG to lower their demands in the obligation could prove challenging. A loan fee could potentially sway the negotiations, making the deal more feasible for United.

Midfield Movements: Hannibal Mejbri and Scott McTominay

As United contemplates incoming transfers, there may also be outgoing movements in the midfield. Reports from the Daily Mail indicate that Burnley is eyeing a move for Hannibal Mejbri, who spent the previous season on loan with Sevilla. This interest follows United’s decision not to sell Scott McTominay to Fulham earlier in the window, despite multiple bids. Fulham has since shifted its focus to Sander Berge, who was once on United’s radar but is now closer to joining Burnley after the Clarets had a £25 million bid accepted.

The potential sale of Mejbri could be influenced by these interconnected transfer dealings. MENSport observes, “This move highlights how interconnected some transfers can be throughout the summer. If United had accepted one of Fulham’s bids for McTominay, then Burnley may not have been showing interest in Mejbri.”

With Mejbri eager to secure regular playing time and only one year left on his contract, a transfer to Burnley could benefit all parties involved. Although the fee United might receive for Mejbri would not match the offers for McTominay, it would nonetheless allow the club to move on a player keen to leave, potentially freeing up resources for future signings.

Conclusion

As the summer transfer window nears its conclusion, Manchester United finds itself at a critical juncture, with the potential to strengthen its midfield and make key decisions that could shape the upcoming season. The club’s pursuit of Manuel Ugarte and the possible departure of Hannibal Mejbri illustrate the delicate balance of managing both incoming and outgoing transfers. United’s success in these final days of the window could prove crucial in their quest for silverware this season.