Liverpool ‘set for transfer talks with £52m-rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte’
- Klopp wants to strengthen his midfield at Liverpool in the summer
- The Reds are reportedly the strongest candidates to sign Lisbon star Ugarte
- The Uruguay international has a £52m release clause at Sporting Lisbon
Liverpool are reportedly the strongest contenders to sign defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Sporting Lisbon this summer.
The Reds could look to bolster their midfield with three new arrivals in the next transfer window, with Jurgen Klopp wanting to do so drastically Given the difficulties this season, we can improve that area of the pitch.
Portuguese Outlet Record claim Anfield bosses are ready for talks with Ugarte, who could be a cheaper alternative to other midfielders they have been linked with.
The Uruguay international has a £52million release clause – and Liverpool are willing to honor it in order to land him in the Premier League.
While Sporting boss Ruben Amorim would like to keep him, it is said the club are ready to negotiate with willing suitors for Ugarte.
However, Liverpool could be competing for his signing with other Premier League clubs reportedly interested in signing the 22-year-old.
The Merseyside club are hoping to sign a number of midfielders this summer.
James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all appear to be heading for the exit, while Jordan Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho are all at or nearing their 30s.
Liverpool may have found a solution for the future with Trent Alexander-Arnold acting almost like a fake midfielder in recent weeks, pushing into the middle of the pitch and producing some great performances.
It’s clear, however, that Klopp’s side will need to bring in some fresh faces after slipping from title contenders to a side currently underdogs to finish in the top four.
Ugarte is a physical and enduring midfielder who can either play in defensive midfield or as number 8.
He would likely rival Fabinho and could be primed to play that role for many years to come if he made the switch.
Ugarte joined Sporting for just over £5million in the summer of 2021 and has since made 83 appearances for the club, as well as capped eight caps for Uruguay.
Other midfielders the Reds have been linked with include Brighton duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, Chelsea duo Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher, Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch and Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella.
Liverpool ended their interest in Jude Bellingham after realizing his asking price of reportedly around £130m was too high as the Reds needed to strengthen their squad with a range of players rather than spend all their money on a single player.