Liverpool to fly scouts out to watch 22-year-old star, after claims he could join PL rivals

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool scouts will head to Lisbon this weekend to watch Benfica’s clash with city rivals Sporting.

The Reds have been linked with a number of players from both teams ahead of the summer transfer window. But according to Portuguese outlet CM Jornal, there’s only one man they’ll be watching at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Sunday evening – Sporting’s Manuel Ugarte.

Unfortunately though for Liverpool, word of the Uruguayan’s talent has caught the attention of others, too. Namely Newcastle United, who it’s claimed will also have scouts present to watch Ugarte in action. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur are another reportedly set to be in Lisbon, although their exact targets are unclear.

The likes of manager Ruben Amorim, Pedro Goncalves, Marcus Edwards and Goncalo Inacio are all said to be under the microscope from Sporting alone. Amorim not withstanding, Liverpool have been linked with each and every one of these over the last year.

But for now at least, their sole purpose is supposedly winning the crowded race for Ugarte.

Liverpool face competition for Ugarte

Liverpool are clearly big fans of the Portuguese market. They’ve signed two of the biggest and best from Porto and Benfica in two of the last three transfer windows.

As a result, it would make absolute sense for them to be in Lisbon on Sunday evening. There’ll be a lot of talent out on the pitch, all of it potentially available for the right kind of price.

In Ugarte’s case, that price is quite clear. The 22-year-old has a release clause of around £52m and Sporting intend to recoup that if they sell him. Right now, that ‘if’ is looking more like a ‘when.’

As per journalist Fabrizio Romano yesterday, Ugarte will very much be on the market. Romano claimed that three English clubs are chasing the Uruguay international, but stopped short of naming the trio.

Portuguese outlet A Bola showed no such restraint though. A report this morning claimed that Aston Villa are getting ready to ‘attack’ in their bid to bring Ugarte to Villa Park.

Perhaps Liverpool’s scouting mission is an attempt to head off interest from their Premier League rivals. These trips can often be a way to initiate face-to-face talks, too.

Having had rumours of interest in Ugarte quashed by UK media though, it’s probably more a case of due diligence. As they continue to be linked with the likes of Inacio too, there’ll be plenty for them to cast their eyes over on Sunday evening.