At a glance
- Newcastle tracking Manuel Ugarte
- Juventus leading race
- Old Trafford exit expected
Newcastle United are reportedly in the race to sign Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte but face competition from Italian giants Juventus.
CaughtOffside reports that Juve are currently leading the charge to get the Uruguayan midfielder’s signature with the Magpies, who are among several clubs monitoring his situation ahead of the summer transfer window.
Ugarte is likely to leave Old Trafford this summer amid a lack of game time. That’s despite Casemiro also departing when his contract expires.
Juventus Lead Ugarte Race
Ugarte’s future at Old Trafford appears increasingly uncertain after a rocky spell since his arrival. Joining from European champions Paris Saint-Germain for £50 million in 2024, the midfielder has struggled to establish himself in Manchester and is now looking for a move away.
Juventus have been interested in the 24-year-old midfielder even before he joined Manchester United, putting them in a strong position to sign him. The Serie A side has been tracking him closely and is pushing to secure a deal, putting them in pole position to sign him.
Newcastle Monitoring Situation
Newcastle’s interest is described as tentative at this stage, with the club keeping a close eye on the developments and are not actively leading negotiations.
The Magpies are believed to be assessing midfield options ahead of the summer transfer window, particularly amid uncertainty surrounding key players. The club deem it important to strengthen the depth in the centre of the pitch this summer.
Ugarte’s profile fits the demands of Eddie Howe’s system. He’s defensively strong, can win the ball in the middle of the park and has the physical and tactical knack the Premier League demands.
Transfer Value Set
Manchester United are reportedly willing to set the Uruguayan midfielder’s price tag at around £35 million, a notable drop from the price they paid in 2024. With multiple clubs circling, the midfielder is expected to be an interesting prospect on the market this summer. This comes as a great opportunity for the Magpies, but also a challenge.
While Ugarte can add body and balance to the midfield, they will need to make executive decisions if they are to compete with Juventus and other interested clubs. Drawing the current scenario, as of now, Newcastle are a part of the race but are just playing catch-up.
