One season and then he’s gone. After 37 games played in all competitions with Paris Saint-Germain, Manuel Ugarte is already leaving the reigning French champions. Arriving from Sporting CP for €60 million (the seventh biggest transfer in PSG history), the Uruguayan was already courted by Premier League clubs last summer, including Chelsea. But he ultimately chose to take on the Parisian challenge. And while he initially impressed the fans of the Parisian club with his activity in recovering the ball, Luis Enrique quickly identified his technical limitations. The former Barça coach quickly put him on the bench, preferring to put the Portuguese Vitinha in his place as sentinel.
However, Ugarte was able to regain his starting status by playing in the Copa América with the Uruguayan national team. Under Marcelo Bielsa, the Montevideo native played in all the matches of the Celestial and contributed to Uruguay’s third place. Performances that logically confirmed the Old Trafford residents in their choice. After convincing the player, the upper echelons of MU had to come to an agreement with the club chaired by Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. A year after investing a huge sum to bring Ugarte, Paris did not want to be financially disadvantaged.
Manchester United breaks the bank for Manuel Ugarte
For weeks, negotiations stalled as Manchester United tried to lower the bill. Finally, after completing the sale of Scott McTominay to Naples, the Red Devils were able to conclude the arrival of Manuel Ugarte during this final week of the transfer market. After Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, Manchester United announced the signing of its fifth summer recruit, until 2029, this Friday, during the final day of the summer transfer window.
The Manchester club finally paid 60 million euros, bonuses included, to secure the signing of Manuel Ugarte. In addition to his sale, Paris Saint-Germain will receive 10% in the event of a future resale of its former player. With his arrival, Manchester United is further renewing its midfield. Enough to offer an additional solution to Erik ten Hag, who could pair him with last season’s revelation, Kobbie Mainoo. For its part, Paris, which has already found its replacement in the person of João Neves, has made the second biggest sale in its history (after Neymar). The Parisian club will be able to move forward with its transfer window and hope to strengthen itself further before August 30.
