Sporting Lisbon are reportedly in talks with clubs to sell Manuel Ugarte, with the news coming after rumours emerged of Liverpool’s interest in the midfielder.
According to A Bola via LFC Transfer Room, the Portuguese giants are preparing for the Uruguay international to leave Lisbon, with Ugarte’s packs already packed as Sporting begin talks with interested parties in the 22-year-old, which could include Liverpool.
🌗❗️@abolapt: Sporting’s Manuel Ugarte is packing his bags. The administration is already talking to interested clubs. England is the destination 💼✅
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) April 30, 2023
O Jogo reported just under 24 hours ago that Jurgen Klopp’s side are one of many Premier League clubs interested in signing Ugarte this summer, who this season has been one of the breakout stars in Portugal who also caught the eye out in Qatar at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
With a release clause of £52m, signing Ugarte will be no small feat for Liverpool. However, given how desperate the Merseyside giants are for new midfielders, the 22-year-old could be an ideal signing for Klopp, as well as another member of the Reds’ growing South American contingent.
Liverpool have to beat rivals to sign Ugarte this summer
Ugarte has been one of the breakout names in Europe this season after a string of impressive performances for Sporting, and for Liverpool, the combative midfielder could be perfect to integrate into the squad and potentially become the long-term replacement for Fabinho.
At 22, Ugarte has the world at his feet and is showing promising signs that he could become one of the best defensive midfielders in the game, and with a £52m release clause, Liverpool can’t afford to wait around to snap up the South American star.