Manuel Ugarte to Man Utd latest, Fabrizio Romano explains Jorge Mendes’ new plan to seal deal quickly

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Manchester United are closing in on a move for Uruguay international midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

Ugarte, 23, is Manchester United’s number one transfer target in midfield, a position the club are yet to address this summer.

United have so far been unable to work out a deal with Paris Saint-Germain, but over the past week there has been activity over the transfer.

Ugarte was axed from the PSG squad, while his agent Jorge Mendes flew to England to discuss a deal. These talks continue.

• READ: Who is Manuel Ugarte? Everything you need to know on Uruguay midfielder

Manuel Ugarte latest

Fabrizio Romano has stated Ugarte is ‘crazy for Manchester United’, having agreed personal terms back in July.

United fans hoped a deal would quickly conclude then, but no agreement has been reached between clubs.

Now a potential loan move is back on the table, after Romano claimed it was a possibility in late July.

He claims Jorge Mendes is pushing the deal, attempting to secure the midfielder his dream move to Manchester United.

Romano writes on X: “Understand Manchester United are working on loan with obligation to buy proposal for Manuel Ugarte.

“Negotiations to continue with this formula as Jorge Mendes’s leading talks with Paris Saint-Germain. Ugarte wants United, pushing a lot after personal terms agreed in July.”

Obligation not an option

An obligation to buy ties Manchester United into a deal, essentially deferring payment until 2025.

This can help United comply with PSR more effectively this summer, if that is the reasoning behind wanting to do the deal this way.

There will most likely be a ‘get out’ clause in case of serious injury, or the loan may stipulate Ugarte must play a certain number of games.

Ineos are smart and won’t lock in a deal they could regret, yet there is little reason to go into this with hesitancy.

Ugarte is the club’s top target, a player Ten Hag and Ineos are aligned on, and he is a good fit for the team, known for his tireless and combative style of play.

A ‘loan with an option’ won’t be attractive for PSG, as these deals often are not activated, as United have discovered, where options on Donny van de Beek and Hannibal were not exercised this summer.

If this is the way to get the deal over the line, so be it, even if we would feel a little more comfortable with a straightforward buy.