Man United ‘close’ to naming first Sir Jim Ratcliffe signing after club slash transfer fee

Man United ‘close’ to naming first Sir Jim Ratcliffe signing after club slash transfer fee

Manchester United are close to completing a deal for PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte as Sir Jim Ratcliffe prepare to oversee their first piece of transfer business, according to reports.

According to reports, negotiations are still going on for Ugarte, who appears certain to leave PSG soon after a dismal first campaign.

The 23-year-old signed a five-year contract at Parc des Princes last summer after moving from Sporting Lisbon in a £51 million deal.

After replacing Christophe Galtier in the French capital, Luis Enrique signed three free agents: Milan Skriniar, Marco Asensio, and the former Barcelona and Spain manager.

After Ugarte’s transfer, there were no longer any rumors of him joining a Premier League team. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur were reportedly interested in signing him.

And Ugarte has emerged as a leading target for United at the start of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era, which involves a new-look recruitment team run by INEOS.

According to ESPN Uruguay, Ugarte is close to completing a move to Old Trafford after losing his standing at PSG.

PSG reportedly won’t demand the £51m to splashed for his signature last summer, and United are willing to strike a deal.

Old Trafford has been branded Ugarte’s ‘most probable’ destination. But there is claimed to be rival interest from Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

United were expected to more aggressively push for a new centre-back and striker this summer in anticipation of Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial’s exits as free agents.

Talks have taken place over Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee as Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his ranks at both ends of the pitch.

But Ugarte may be an emerging opportunity to land the first signing of the INEOS regime soon after his Copa America duties are complete.

Casemiro is expected to be among the players who United will use to generate funds this summer after a below-par second season.

Ten Hag will want to replace the 32-year-old with the right profile of midfielder that will complement Kobbie Mainoo.

Ugarte appears to have been the top target that United have landed on, and the possibility of a transfer is very much alive.