Fabrizio Romano: Man United now set to close Manuel Ugarte deal as Scott McTominay closes in on Napoli move | OneFootball

Manchester United are now set to seal a transfer for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte, with Scott McTominay on the brink of joining Napoli.

Midfield has always been an area of the pitch Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS were keen on strengthening before deadline day and as time went by, it became clearer that Ugarte was United’s top transfer target.

An agreement over personal terms was reached with Ugarte weeks ago but finding middle ground with PSG has proven to be difficult.

It’s understood that the Red Devils have shown no willingness to meet PSG’s €60 million valuation of the Uruguayan, who does not seem to be in the plans of Luis Enrique.

It was mentioned that there was a possibility of getting a loan deal for Ugarte over the line, provided it came with an obligation to buy at the end of the ongoing 2024/25 campaign.

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, United’s preference remains to buy Ugarte on a permanent arrangement and now that McTominay is just one step away from signing for Napoli, there is optimism that Ugarte will become the latest addition to Erik ten Hag’s ranks at Old Trafford.

Just moments ago, David Ornstein broke the news that United reached a €30m agreement with Napoli for McTominay to complete a switch to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

Romano subsequently wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Manchester United are set to close Manuel Ugarte deal… and it can be now permanent transfer.”

“If all goes to plan with Scott McTominay to Napoli, Man United will proceed with permanent move for Ugarte as PSG wanted.”

“Ugarte ONLY wants United, he’s ready to travel.”

In anticipation of his move to the Red Devils, Ugarte was left out of the PSG matchday squad that thrashed Montpellier 6-0 on Friday.

Last term, the combative 23-year-old midfielder made 25 Ligue 1 appearances. He registered two assists in that period.

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