Manchester Utd ‘push’ to sign Copa America star in potential £43m deal

Reports suggest Manchester United are closing in on signing Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.

United are ready to activate Zirkzee’s £34m release clause and a deal is now “one step away”, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Zirkzee is currently at Euro 2024 alongside defender Matthjis de Ligt, who could also arrive at Old Trafford this summer.

Rumors over the weekend suggested that United are now “confident” of signing De Ligt from Bayern Munich.

De Ligt wants to be reunited with his former Ajax boss Ten Hag and has been named to partner Lisandro Martinez at the heart of United’s defence.

Manchester United are eyeing a deal for Manuel Ugarte

The two deals appear to be the closest to completion for United, but other signings are also being sought.

United want to find another midfielder; preferably a combative defensive midfielder who can be Casemiro’s long-term heir.

Uruguayan international Manuel Ugarte has become a top target after just one year with Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG paid around £51m to sign Ugarte from Sporting last summer, but boss Luis Enrique is already keen to sell him to United.

Reporter Christopher Michel now claims United are “pushing” to complete the signing of 23-year-old Ugarte.

PSG are said to want around €60m (£51m) for Ugarte, essentially looking to recoup their money on the midfielder.

However, United want to pay €42m (£35m) for Ugarte and are “optimistic” about reaching a deal.

Michel notes that the two clubs could “meet in the middle” over the fee, which would be around £43m – a similar price to that paid for De Ligt.

Manchester City are lurking in the Ugarte race

United appear to have real hope of a deal for Ugarte, even if negotiations do not appear to be as advanced as the moves for Zirkzee and De Ligt.

However, a report from France will leave United a little worried.

Le10 Sport claim Barcelona and even bitter rivals Manchester City are keen to sign Ugarte alongside United.

City could look at Ugarte as competition for Rodri after the decision to sign Kalvin Phillips backfired.

United would certainly hate to see a key target such as Ugarte head to City, but Ineos will be wary of the mind games of the transfer market.

This could be a tactic to tempt United into meeting PSG’s demands, just to avoid seeing Ugarte sign for such a big rival.

Dan Ashworth and co will be wise to these tactics and certainly won’t be scared to leave if a compromise can’t be reached.

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