Arsenal want £53.5m star, weeks after red card for smashing Bukayo Saka

Arsenal are interested in Manuel Ugarte – just weeks after the Sporting midfielder absolutely flattened Bukayo Saka.

The Gunners are weighing their midfield options before the summer transfer window.

We have all seen the links to players like Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, who have been rumoured Arsenal targets since January.

Both Rice and Caicedo have impressed in the Premier League and could slot in Mikel Arteta’s midfield.

Arsenal will also look outside of the Premier League though and appear to be assessing an option in Portugal.

Ugarte has a £53million release clause in his contract and it sounds like Arsenal are very interested.

The Uruguayan is wanted by a number of Premier League clubs but Arsenal will hope to win the race.

In that scenario, Ugarte may have a rather awkward reunion with Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka.

Manuel Ugarte was sent off for foul on Bukayo Saka

Arsenal were able to see Ugarte first-hand in the Europa League last 16.

The Gunners were drawn against Sporting and ended up being knocked out by Ruben Amorim’s men over two legs.

Sporting went through on penalties at the Emirates Stadium having proven to be a real thorn in Arteta’s side.

The shootout took place without Sporting ace Ugarte though, who was given his marching orders in the second half of extra time.

With the aggregate score finely poised at 3-3, Arsenal were on the counter-attack and looking for a late winner.

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka was charging forward before being hit with a cynical, scything challenge from Ugarte.

Already on a yellow, Ugarte was sent off as pundit Lucy Ward told BT Sport that the challenge was ‘wild’.

Ugarte has that edge that many Uruguayan players have had over the years and he was more than ready to take one for the team against Arsenal.

Saka probably didn’t appreciate that challenge and may soon have to call him a teammate.

Yet if Ugarte is willing to sacrifice himself for Arsenal’s success, Saka would no doubt love him in no time.