Manchester United Halt Ugarte Pursuit Amidst High Asking Price

Introduction

Manchester United have reportedly halted negotiations to acquire one of their primary summer transfer targets, Manuel Ugarte, due to the exorbitant asking price set by his current club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Reported Transfer Stalled

United have already secured signings for Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro but face a time constraint in finalizing additional transfers before their Community Shield encounter against Manchester City this weekend.

Yoro’s recent injury, believed to sideline him for the first three league matches, has heightened concerns for manager Erik ten Hag as the new campaign approaches.

Discussions regarding a new midfielder have been underway, with Ten Hag seeking to bolster that position after Sofyan Amrabat’s departure.

Ugarte Asking Price Exceeded

The Athletic reports that United will not pursue a deal for PSG midfielder Ugarte, who was initially considered a top target.

Initial reports suggested United had reached personal terms with the Uruguayan, but they are now unwilling to meet PSG’s £51 million asking price.

New Transfer Strategy

This decision aligns with a novel transfer strategy implemented by minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, which involves setting valuations for each target and adhering to them.

While this approach is commonplace at other clubs, United faced criticism during the Glazers’ full ownership for perceived overspending on players like Antony and Mason Mount.

Potential Alternatives Explored

The Athletic indicates that United may reconsider Ugarte if PSG lowers their asking price but are also considering other options.

One potential alternative is former Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who remains a free agent following his Euro 2024 duty with France. Talks have not yet advanced regarding a deal for the 29-year-old, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Conclusion

Manchester United’s pursuit of Ugarte has been halted due to PSG’s high asking price, reflecting the club’s new transfer strategy aimed at preventing overspending.

United continue to explore alternative options, including Rabiot, as they seek to strengthen their midfield ahead of the upcoming season.