Sporting set asking price for Manuel Ugarte
Newcastle United are set to sign a midfielder during the summer transfer window and have been linked with Sporting CP star Manuel Ugarte.
The 21-year-old is rumored to be a target for the Magpies while Eddie Howe is in dire need of reinforcements in the middle of the park.
Sporting director Dan Ashworth tried to sign someone during the January transfer window but couldn’t. There were plenty of players who were linked but Newcastle actually ended the month with fewer options in midfield.
Jonjo Shelvey’s injury and departure highlighted the lack of depth and it’s important that we sign a midfielder at the end of the season.
Howe is keen to land someone who can play the role of number six as it would allow Bruno Guimaraes to act higher up the pitch.
Uruguay international Ugarte ticks that box but it looks like he’s an expensive option for the magpies.
Sporting CP tell Newcastle they want £53m for Manuel Ugarte
It was recently reported by Portuguese outlet Record (via Sport Witness) that Newcastle are looking to sign Ugarte in the summer.
Now, O Jogo has provided more information on how much the youngster will cost. They state Sporting have no interest in letting Ugarte go on the cheap and demand his release clause be paid in full.
That means he will currently cost £53m. However, that price could go even higher ahead of the summer transfer window.
That’s because Record believe Sporting are trying to offer Ugarte a new deal that would include an even bigger release clause worth £71m. A deal worth that sum would make him Newcastle’s most expensive signing of all time.
Whether it’s £53m or £71m, Ugarte isn’t going cheap. It’s a testament to his achievements in Portugal, where he’s one of Sporting’s top players.
He was able to replace Joao Palhinha at Lisbon, who was one of the Premier League signings this season with Fulham.
Newcastle are looking for a defensive midfield presence. You want someone who can protect the back four but also be able to get the ball up with his passing range.
Ugarte can certainly do that but it will be up to Newcastle to decide whether or not they believe he’s worth that kind of money.