Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur both want Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who is ‘made of steel’ according to the Portuguese media.
Record claimed back in October that Tottenham had joined Paris Saint-Germain in enquiring about a potential deal for Ugarte.
Sporting were trying to increase Ugarte’s release clause to a huge £70million in light of the rival interest.
A Bola reported in November that Tottenham had sent scouts to the World Cup In Qatar to watch Ugarte; problem is that he never actually made an appearance for Uruguay.
Still, Tottenham appear to like Ugarte and they may face a battle for his signature at the end of the season.
Record suggested earlier this month that Newcastle had ‘made approaches’ to try and bring Ugarte to the Premier League.
Newcastle have been linked with a number of holding midfield players and Ugarte seems to be a key name on their wish list.
Newcastle and Tottenham target Manuel Ugarte ‘made of steel’
Sporting drew 1-1 with Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday, leaving their participation in the tournament on a knife-edge.
Portuguese newspaper Record called the performance ‘depressing, bordering on unacceptable’.
They did though find some room to praise Ugarte as Sporting’s best player in a frustrating draw.
Record suggested that Ugarte ‘looks like he’s made of steel’ having turned in a ‘tireless’ performance on Thursday.
Ugarte was brilliant against Midtjylland, racking up five tackles, three interceptions and two clearances, providing an outstanding defensive display.
The fear for Sporting is that Ugarte will end up leaving this summer.
Joao Palhinha and Matheus Nunes left the club last summer and Pedro Porro quit for Tottenham In January.
Ugarte may well be the next to leave and with praise like that, you can understand why Newcastle and Tottenham are so interested.
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