“I made Pep Gaurdiorla cried after hijacking his top transfer, he called me and was crying… It’s not easy to do that, all the new players know what we’re building but our fans are impatient”: Erik ten Hag names three midfielders Man United has agreed to sign this week which almost made Pep Gaurdiorla cried so hard
In the closing week of the summer transfer window, Manchester United has secured three significant midfield transactions. The club has successfully negotiated the acquisition of Paris Saint-Germain’s midfielder Manuel Ugarte, and simultaneously finalized the sales of Scott McTominay and Hannibal Mejbri.
The agreement for Ugarte involves an initial payment of €50 million (£42.29 million) to PSG, supplemented by an additional €10 million (£8.46 million) in potential future payments. PSG will also retain a 10% sell-on clause, ensuring they benefit from any future transfer of the player. Ugarte, the highly-regarded Uruguayan talent, is expected to arrive in Manchester for his medical examination as early as Tuesday, with the club optimistic that the deal will be completed before the transfer window closes on Friday. If everything goes as planned, Ugarte might even make his debut in the Premier League match against Liverpool this coming weekend.
Manchester United’s pursuit of Ugarte was marked by a strategic and patient approach. Identified early on as the club’s primary midfield target, Ugarte is considered one of the most promising young players in global football. The club is confident that his best years are still ahead, and they view this transfer as a key investment in the team’s future.
The funding for Ugarte’s acquisition is partially offset by the sale of Scott McTominay, who is set to join Napoli. The deal for McTominay is reported to include an initial fee of approximately £25 million, along with a 10% sell-on clause. Although Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, would have preferred to retain McTominay, the club ultimately decided that the offer was too advantageous to refuse, particularly given that McTominay has not been a guaranteed starter. Additionally, selling academy graduates like McTominay is financially beneficial under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability (PSR) regulations, as the entire fee is considered pure profit.
In another move aimed at enhancing the club’s financial standing, Hannibal Mejbri is set to join Burnley, with the Championship side reportedly willing to pay up to £9.5 million for the young midfielder, including a significant sell-on clause.
With these midfield changes in place, Manchester United is now shifting focus to potential departures before the transfer deadline. Jadon Sancho is likely to leave, with Juventus currently leading the chase for his signature. However, Sancho’s substantial wages present a challenge, and Juventus may need to consider an initial loan deal. Victor Lindelof is another player who could exit the club before the deadline.
Overall, Manchester United believes that their summer transfer activity has significantly strengthened the squad, addressing key areas of need. Nevertheless, the club remains vigilant for any last-minute opportunities to further bolster the team before the transfer window shuts.
