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Manchester United is reportedly making significant strides in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte, having reached an agreement on personal terms with the player, according to well-known transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

This summer, Manchester United has already strengthened their squad with the acquisitions of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro. Now, their attention has turned to securing the services of Ugarte from PSG. Romano’s report suggests that personal terms between United and Ugarte have been settled, while negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing to finalize the transfer fee.

In a separate update from L’Equipe, cited by SportWitness, it’s mentioned that PSG is reluctant to incur a financial loss on Ugarte, who they signed from Sporting for £50 million. Consequently, PSG is asking for around £59 million to part ways with the South American midfielder. However, Manchester United is hesitant to meet this valuation and might instead propose a loan deal with an option to buy, which could be a more financially viable option for the club.

Reflecting on United’s recent performances, the 2023/24 season saw the team finish 8th in the Premier League, an outcome below their usual standards. Nevertheless, they managed to claim the FA Cup, bringing some success to an otherwise lackluster campaign. Despite this triumph, it’s clear that improvements are necessary for United to challenge for top honors consistently.

To address these shortcomings, United has already added new talents to their forward and central defensive positions. Their next focus seems to be on strengthening the holding midfield role. Last season, options like Casemiro, Scott McTominay, and Sofyan Amrabat, who was on loan, struggled to deliver the desired consistency. Bringing in Ugarte could represent a significant upgrade. Known for his strong ball-handling skills and tireless work ethic off the ball, Ugarte also excels in making tackles, often with a higher success rate than Casemiro. At just 23 years old, he has ample potential to grow and make a substantial impact at United.

Despite their eagerness to add Ugarte to their ranks, United is cautious about meeting PSG’s £59 million asking price, especially after significant expenditures on Zirkzee and Yoro. A loan arrangement might be the most pragmatic approach, allowing United to evaluate Ugarte’s suitability for the Premier League. Conversely, PSG may push for a mandatory purchase clause, particularly as they prepare to bring in Ugarte’s replacement, Joao Neves, from Benfica.

In summary, while Manchester United is keen to bring Manuel Ugarte to Old Trafford, the financial aspects of the deal remain a sticking point. The club’s strategy might involve a loan move initially, providing a period to assess Ugarte’s performance before committing to a full transfer. Meanwhile, PSG’s stance on recouping their investment adds an extra layer of complexity to the negotiations.