Liverpool will not pursue Manuel Ugarte, a target for Chelsea and Aston Villa, this summer as they do not want to pay €60 million for him.
According to a report by Football Transfers, Manuel Ugarte will unlikely join Liverpool in the summer transfer window. The Reds are not ready to trigger his release clause, worth €60 million, to secure his services. And Liverpool’s decision has handed a boost to Chelsea and Aston Villa.
Manuel Ugarte spent his formative years in his homeland, starting at City Park de Ciudad de la Costa before graduating from the CA Fenix Academy. But he rose to prominence during his short stint with Famalicao between January-August 2021. And the Uruguayan international has come leaps and bounds since joining Sporting CP in August 2021.
The 22-year-old has been a regular for Sporting in the last two seasons while rising in stature on the international stage. Ugarte has turned out nearly 100 times for the Portuguese club, chipping in with one goal and three assists. And the player’s progress has captured the attention of Chelsea, Liverpool, and Aston Villa.
Liverpool moved quickly to work on a deal for Ugarte, even working with his agent over a summer agreement. And the Reds’ interest in the young midfielder is understandable, considering James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will depart from Anfield this summer. In addition, Ugarte can be an upgrade on the underperforming Fabinho.
But Liverpool will not pursue Ugarte this summer as they do not want to trigger his release clause, worth €60 million. That might not be a problem for his other suitors, like Chelsea. The Blues have been notorious for spending astronomical amounts since Todd Boehly became the co-owner. And with Mateo Kovacic facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, Ugarte is a viable target.
Chelsea should have no problems paying €60 million to secure Ugarte’s services. But that is also true for Aston Villa, with the Villans ready to spend high sums to sign their desired targets. But it is unclear why the Midlands outfit might want to sign the 22-year-old.
Also Read: Liverpool keen on Manuel Ugarte: The Engine to Jurgen Klopp’s Ferrari?
Nonetheless, Chelsea and Aston Villa do not need to worry about Liverpool in the race to sign Ugarte. And it will be interesting to see if either club will shell out €60 million to sign the Uruguayan international this summer.
