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Paris Saint Germain have rejected an opening bid from Manchester United for midfield enforcer Manuel Ugarte.
This is according to French outlet l’Equipe, who say that despite rejecting the offer, PSG are “not closed to negotiations.”
The report swiftly follows the news broken by Sky this afternoon of United’s interest in the Uruguayan.
L’Equipe note that Ugarte’s central role in the team started to be less secure toward the end of last season, and that this suggested “a questioning of his status which has not gone unnoticed by some foreign clubs.”
The story has been corroborated by respected reporter Ben Jacobs, who posted on X:
“PSG have rejected an offer from Manchester United for Manuel Ugarte. Dismissed quickly as wasn’t close to the club’s valuation. Several suitors interested in Ugarte.”
🚨 PSG have rejected an offer from Manchester United for Manuel Ugarte. Dismissed quickly as wasn’t close to the club’s valuation. Several suitors interested in Ugarte.🇺🇾
🎩 to @SkySportsLyall who first called #MUFC‘s interest. pic.twitter.com/ioBIaB9bCx
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 25, 2024
As for who those suitors are, l’Equipe note “two Italian clubs … another English club and a German club”.
They also say that United’s bid “was considered insufficient by the leaders of PSG.”
As we discussed here earlier, the fact that United are bidding on Ugarte, who joined PSG for €60 million just a year ago, suggests there may be more money available for transfers than previously reported.
Widespread reports claimed a £50 million budget although others claimed that the real figure was more in the region of £140 million.
This is now looking closer to reality given that United have already bid over £43 million for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
United fans will be excited at the prospect of capturing a top class defensive midfielder such as Ugarte, especially if it can be wrapped up early in the window.
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