Liverpool are ready to pay €60 million for Chelsea and Newcastle United target Manuel Ugarte as the race heats up for the midfielder.
According to Le Parisien via Sport Witness, Liverpool have now decided to pay Manuel Ugarte’s €60 million release clause. Chelsea and Newcastle United were intensely contesting for the midfielder, with Paris Saint-Germain also in the mix, but the Merseysiders could blow the race open.
Manuel Ugarte’s transfer may seem straightforward due to his contract’s €60 million release clause. Whichever club decides to pay the amount can have the midfielder provided the 22-year-old prefers the move. As things stand, Sporting CP will not accept anything less.
In the last few days, speculation about the midfielder’s future has increased. Newcastle United and Chelsea were reportedly prepared to pay his release clause, which put them in the driver’s seat for the Uruguayan.
The €60 million-rated Chelsea and Newcastle target also interests Paris Saint-Germain, possibly the first team to make the bid. However, the race is blown wide open by Liverpool’s re-entry into the chase, having previously cooled their interest in the midfielder.
Liverpool’s need for new midfielders is not a secret. Jurgen Klopp wants to reinforce those positions after a dreadful season. While they were keen on the Chelsea and Newcastle target, their attention swerved towards Alexis Mac Allister in the last few weeks.
While the Brighton star remains close to signing for Liverpool, Mac Allister will cost over €70 million. Hence, signing Ugarte for his €60 million release clause may seem costly from the Reds’ perspective, but they may have changed their minds now.
Now, Liverpool chiefs are apparently leaving the decision to Klopp and see what the manager wants. Ugarte is a talent that would suit the German’s high-octane style at the club. If they are willing to pay the €60 million for Ugarte, they could take the pole position in the chase.
Moreover, the report states Ugarte would prefer to join an English side over PSG. While Chelsea were considered the front-runners, Liverpool’s entry could blow the Blues out of the water for the midfielder. The coming weeks will prove crucial in this saga.
