Liverpool are ready to open talks with impressive Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte as they look to move away from Jude Bellingham this summer.
There is no question that the Reds are in need of midfield additions, with James Milner set to move on and Jordan Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho either approaching or the wrong side of 30 years old.
It was expected that they would make a move for Jude Bellingham, having been public admirers of the Borussia Dortmund star for several transfer windows, but recent reports have claimed that Jurgen Klopp’s side have been forced to back out over the financial demands of the German club, with a reported £132m price tag on Bellingham’s head.
According to Portuguese press, Ugarte is one alternative, with the Reds having ‘initiated first contact in order to assess availability for the deal’, with the tenacious Uruguayan expected to set any club back around 60m euros.
A move to the Premier League appears inevitable, with Ugarte ‘packing his bags’ and interest from all of Newcastle United, Leeds United, Aston Villa and Tottenham.
A tough-tackling midfielder, the 22-year-old could be the perfect foil for the more creative Mason Mount, who Liverpool are also thought to be hot on the heels of, and despite his penchant for yellow cards (he has collected 9 in the Portuguese top flight this season) he could be a very effective option in Jurgen Klopp’s counter-pressing system.
Should they be able to meet his 60m euros release clause, they could well have a long-term option in the heart of their midfield, and once again be able to challenge for silverware.
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