Super-agent Jorge Mendes has reportedly offered Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte to FC Barcelona amid reports that Tottenham are interested in signing the Uruguay international.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Portuguese official is keen to secure his client a big transfer this summer with the Catalan giants, as well as Tottenham and Wolves, are all keen on signing Ugarte, who recently rejected a new deal with Sporting to increase his €60m (£53m) release clause.
The 21-year-old midfielder has been one of the best midfielders in Portugal this season and is widely tipped to depart Sporting after a breakout year with the Lisbon giants, with some of Europe’s biggest clubs now chasing Ugarte following recent developments.
Tottenham have been linked with the South American star for quite some time, though, yet interest from Wolves and now Barcelona could cause some major issues for Antonio Conte’s transfer plans, with the Italian keen to add a central midfielder to his squad over the summer.
Indeed, Ugarte looks ready to become the next big-money transfer out of Portugal this summer, and with Mendes now offering his client to Barcelona, Tottenham could face a massive struggle to sign the Sporting youngster, who could be tempted with a move to Catalonia.
Whilst Tottenham have the guaranteed finances to secure Ugarte, alongside Wolves, Barcelona’s reputation always makes them a dangerous player in the transfer market, and the midfielder could easily hold out for a bid from the La Liga giants despite ongoing interest from Spurs.
Barcelona signing Ugarte would be a huge blow for Tottenham this summer
Ugarte ticks a lot of boxes for what Tottenham want in a central midfielder this summer, and whilst the north London side are still well-positioned to sign the 21-year-old, Barcelona’s interest does make things complicated, and missing out on the youngster could be a major blow.
As we know, Barcelona have one of the most exciting projects going on right now in football, and with Sergio Busquets tipped to leave the club at the end of this season, Ugarte could be an ideal replacement for the Catalan legend, much to the dismay of Tottenham.
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