Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte will leave this summer with his agent talking up a move to Premier League giants Liverpool for the reported Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Newcastle United target.
If Ugarte can emulate the success of his Sporting predecessor in England – Joao Palhinha one of the signings of the season at Fulham – then the Uruguayan international will certainly be money well spent.
Ugarte, another tough-tackling defensive midfielder, is producing numbers to rival that of Palhinha at the Estadio da Luz. In fact, no one has averaged more successful tackles in the Europa League than his six per game; Sporting knocking out Arsenal en route to the quarter-finals (WhoScored).
According to O Jogo, Ugarte’s outstanding performance against the Gunners earned him the admiration of Mikel Arteta. Newcastle, Tottenham Leeds, Aston Villa and others are also reportedly interested, with a £53 million release clause in the 22-year-old’s contract.
And it’s fair to say Jorge Chijane, Ugarte’s representative, does not expect his client to still be a Sporting player in 2022/23.
Is Arsenal target Manuel Ugarte joining Liverpool?
“It’s almost certain that he won’t stay. It’s sure he will leave,” Chijane, who will work with super-agent Jorge Mendes, during the window, tells O Jogo.
“Soon I’ll be in Lisbon. I trust Jorge Mendes, who is the best agent in the world.”
When asked specifically about the chances of Ugarte joining Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, Chijane indicated that reports of Liverpool’s interest are on the money. The Merseyside giants could find out whether or not Ugarte will be on his way before the end of the month.
“Liverpool? There is a lot of talk, but they are not the only club (interested). There are others. There’s a lot of talk. But I am still not sure about the club (which Ugarte will join),” he adds.
“There are many offers on the table. I believe that, in 15 days, the situation will be resolved.”
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