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Manchester United have turned their attention to a number of alternative midfield targets after baulking at Paris Saint-Germain’s asking fee for Manuel Ugarte.
On Monday, David Ornstein of The Athletic revealed that United abandoned their pursuit of Ugarte as they failed to reach an agreement with PSG over the player’s price.
It’s believed that PSG want to recoup the £52 million they forked out for the Uruguayan just 12 months ago when they secured his services from Liga NOS giants Sporting Lisbon. Meanwhile, United are of the opinion that Ugarte’s valuation should be reflective of his decline since sealing a switch to the French capital.
Indeed, Ugarte fell down the pecking order under Luis Enrique, who demonstrated a clear preference for other options in the middle of the park.
Other midfielders United have been linked to include Sander Berge (Burnley), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) and Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco).
The Telegraph have laid bare United’s transfer plans for the midfield and what comes next for the Old Trafford club after cooling their interest in Ugarte.
The newspaper confirms United are weighing up moves for Berge and Zubimendi. Other names on the list are Richard Rios of Palmeiras and Sofyan Amrabat, who spent last term on loan with the 20-time English champions.
James Ducker notes that Berge, Zubimendi, Rios and Amrabat are not the only options and it’s thought that there are one or two unnamed candidates.
In the case of Amrabat, United retained an option to purchase the Moroccan for an initial £17.1 million with a further £4.3 million in add-ons at the end of last season but decided against triggering it.
United would therefore need to negotiate fresh terms with Fiorentina if they were to decide to swoop in for the 27-year-old. The Telegraph notes that Amrabat has been waiting for United to “reveal their hand” before making a decision on his future.
There is interest in the Fiorentina man from Italy and Turkey, with Fenerbahce also hot on his heels.
In terms of outgoings, the news outlet points out, “United had hoped to sell Casemiro this summer to help fund a move for a new No 6 midfielder but, as things stand, there have yet to be any takers for the Brazilian veteran, whom Erik ten Hag made captain during pre-season in the absence of Bruno Fernandes.”
‘It remains to be seen if any late Saudi interest in Casemiro develops and the situation has instead led United to consider selling Scott McTominay. Fulham have had at least two bids for McTominay rejected. Galatasaray, especially, and Fenerbahçe are also keen to sign the Scotland international, whom United value at £25 million to £30 million.”
Amidst all this, it’s important to note that United are still aiming to bring in defensive reinforcements – a need that has only become more urgent after Leny Yoro sustained an injury that is expected to rule him out of action for three months.
Talks continue between Bayern Munich and United over Matthijs de Ligt.
United also want De Ligt’s teammate Noussair Mazraoui. There is an agreement in place over personal terms between the English outfit and the respective camps of De Ligt and Mazraoui.
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