Liverpool are set to miss out on the signing of Manuel Ugarte, with the Uruguayan destined to join PSG instead.
The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for Ugarte, even reportedly going as far as direct talks with his agents. But according to CM Jornal this morning, that has all been in vain.
They claim that the 22-year-old will instead join PSG, who have already ‘sealed the deal’ with Sporting.
The French champions are said to have triggered Ugarte’s £52m release clause, and have also agreed a five-year deal with the Uruguay international. ‘It’s closed,’ write the Portuguese outlet, Ugarte will be a PSG player next season.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano isn’t quite as certain in his claims, though, which may give some hope to Liverpool fans. Writing on Twitter this morning, the journalist says Ugarte is indeed a ‘concrete target’ for PSG and that terms have already been discussed.
However, Romano goes on to say that non-specific Premier League clubs are still ‘in the race.’
Liverpool set to miss out on Ugarte
Whether this is something that’s already done or not is perhaps already irrelevant to Liverpool. Despite reports in Portugal linking the Reds to Ugarte, ‘insiders’ at Anfield always claimed that he wasn’t a target.
As it turns out, maybe they had the scoop on this one after all.
But perhaps it isn’t quite so cut and dry. Following claims that Liverpool had already spoken with Ugarte’s camp about a move, reports surfaced that Sporting were furious with the Reds.
Angry that Liverpool had spoken to the player before the end of the season, the Lisbon side reportedly promised ‘punishments’ for them.
Maybe this is that. Maybe it isn’t. We’ll probably never really know. What we do know is that Liverpool will now focus on other targets.
With the news that Mason Mount now has a preference to move to Manchester United, it hasn’t been a great couple of days for Liverpool’s midfield overhaul.
They have a long list though, and this is why. They’ll have always known that not making Champions League next season could affect who they can sign. It could be a blessing in disguise that who they can and can’t sign is getting clearer before the window even opens. Onto the next one!