Liverpool Football Club has reportedly been in talks with Manuel Ugarte, the midfielder from Sporting Lisbon, for several weeks, although they are said to be reluctant to pay the player’s £53m release clause.
Ugarte has caught the attention of Liverpool as well as Tottenham, with his impressive stats including a high number of tackles and a pass completion rate in the top one percent for defensive midfielders in Europe.
Liverpool keeping tabs on Ugarte
With interest in several midfielders, including Ugarte, Ryan Gravenberch, and Mason Mount, Liverpool are looking to strengthen their midfield before the transfer window closes.
However, the cost of Ugarte’s release clause could prove a stumbling block, with no certainty over where Liverpool will finish in the current season, which will have an impact on their transfer budget. Lisbon may feel no pressure to sell for less than the release clause, and other big clubs are also keeping tabs on the player.
Scouts from Liverpool and Newcastle reportedly watched Sporting CP’s clash with Famalicao on Sunday night, intending to watch Ugarte and center-back Goncalo Inacio.
Reports from Portugal suggest that Liverpool has made contact with Sporting regarding a deal for Ugarte, but it remains to be seen whether the talks will result in a concrete move for the midfielder.
Manuel Ugarte: The Right Fit for The Reds
Ugarte is a highly promising defensive midfielder from Uruguay who possesses exceptional physical attributes, tenacity, and a tireless work ethic. He is a strong tackler, able to maneuver out of tight spaces, and can dribble out of trouble when needed.
He has excellent defensive positioning and his counter-press and pressing in the high zone are both impressive. Ugarte is exceptional at recovering the ball, with the highest average recoveries per 90 minutes in the Primeira Liga.
Once he wins the ball, he is good at keeping possession and is a possession juggernaut. He has room for improvement in overall passing, but his first pass is usually spot-on. Ugarte is a valuable asset both defensively and offensively, covering a lot of ground during games, and often driving through the middle to create overloads.
He shares a similar profile to Manchester United’s Casemiro and could be an upgrade on Sean Longstaff at Newcastle United or a long-term replacement for Fabinho at Liverpool.
The Merseysiders are keen on finding competition for Fabinho, with interest in Ugarte, Moises Caicedo, and Joao Palhinha suggesting that competition is being sought for the position of No. 6 role.
Liverpool are hoping to end the season strongly and secure European football, which would give them more cash to splash out on Ugarte this summer.