Daily Deals: Barcelona set sights on 23-year-old midfielder due to first-team injuries
- Manuel Ugarte makes Barcelona's shortlist due to injuries in the squad.
- The Uruguayan is having a superb campaign at the Copa America 2024.
What's the need?
Towards the end of the UEFA Euro 2024 and the Copa America 2024, FC Barcelona seems to be in an unexpected position. One of the big question marks for Hansi Flick is the midfield situation.
Frenkie De Jong is already missing the Euros due to an ankle injury and might miss the 2024/25 preseason. With Pedri out for a month and Gavi still two months away from joining team training, veteran Ilkay Gundogan remains the only option available for Flick in the middle of the park.
During the preseason, Fermin Lopez would travel to Paris to represent Spain in the Paris Olympics 2024, meaning he will miss the initial matchdays of the 2024/25 season. Moreover, Oriol Romeu's future with Barcelona is uncertain due to exit rumors.
Thus, the Blaugrana need some midfield reinforcements before the new season starts in mid-August.
Player Profile:
Manuel Ugarte is a Uruguayan defensive midfielder who joined PSG from Sporting CP for 60M at the start of the 2023/24 season. After a mixed first season in the French capital, the box-to-box midfielder found his form again at the Copa America 2024.
Holding the fort for Marcelo Bielsa's side, the Uruguayan has started in all four games and helped his side to keep three clean sheets. Moreover, in his debut season with the Parisians, Manuel made 37 appearances across all competitions as the club completed a domestic treble of Ligue 1, Coupe De France, and Trophee Des Champions.
Economics of the deal:
Manuel Ugarte joined Paris Saint-Germain in June 2023, signing a five-year contract until the summer of 2028. With his heroics in Copa America, Barcelona is monitoring his transfer situation, with Manchester United also interested.
However, with still four years in his contract, PSG will demand a hefty fee of € 80-€ 90M as they are in no hurry to sell.
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As for Barcelona, they need to decide whether to spend big for a new midfielder or wait until the first month into the new season when Pedri and Gavi hope to make a return to the squad.
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