Liverpool know they have to be quick to sign ‘tireless’ midfield target, he’s now certain to leave

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Liverpool are exploring the possibility of signing Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte this summer.

Ugarte has had a terrific season at Sporting, excelling in a holding midfield role. And according to O Jogo, his displays have caught the eye of just about half of the Premier League.

Among the long list of the Uruguayan’s admirers – reportedly – are Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp is said to have identified a need for a ‘combative’ midfielder and has consequently added Ugarte to his summer shopping list.

To that end, the Reds are claimed to have made the ‘first contacts’ to determine the 22-year-old’s availability this summer. And according to O Jogo, they may get good news in that respect. They report that Ugarte is now ‘certain’ to leave Sporting in the coming months. It’s also claimed that it won’t be possible for them to renegotiate the terms of Ugarte’s release clause, which reportedly stands at around £52.5m.

So, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Darwin Nunez’s international teammate will be at new club come the start of next season. But with at least four other English sides interested, Liverpool are said to be aware that they can’t afford to delay any approach.

Liverpool look to ‘tireless’ Ugarte

Obviously, this season has laid bare Liverpool’s need for midfield additions over the summer. But so far, the many options linked with a move to Anfield have been box-to-box type players.

This is fine, Liverpool obviously need legs in midfield. However, it also skates over the fact that they might very well need to find themselves a new holding midfielder, too. Before the season began, Liverpool’s deficiencies in the middle of the pitch were clear. But no one saw the decline of Fabinho coming.

The Brazilian has improved of late, but he probably now needs a medium-term replacement. As a result, the signing of Ugarte would make a great deal of sense. Only just twenty-two and with some brilliant defensive stats under his belt this season, he could be just what Liverpool need.

Described as ‘tireless’ by the Portuguese press [Record], Ugarte would add energy and bite to a midfield that has lacked both this campaign.

Clearly, Liverpool could also do with adding some more attack-minded midfielders as well. But with Ugarte acting as the anchor, and with the pressure taken off Fabinho, the Reds will have a much more solid base.

Understandably, it sounds as though there’s stiff competition for his signature. Given what we know about Liverpool’s connections throughout Portugal though, we can certainly see this one coming off.