French giants Paris Saint Germain are set to beat both Liverpool and Tottenham to the signing of Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte this summer, following reports in Portugal claiming that they are ready to trigger his 60m release clause.
PSG, who need just a point to be confirmed as French champions ahead of RC Lens, are keen to overhaul their squad this summer, and have already completed the signing of centre-back Milan Skriniar on a free transfer from Inter Milan.
Despite plenty of question marks over the futures of Lionel Messi (out of contract this summer) and fellow attacker Neymar (who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United), it is midfield that the Parisians are turning to next, and Ugarte appears to be the man that they have landed upon.
As per Portuguese outlet Record, they have submitted a 60m euro offer for the Uruguayan midfielder, which matches his release clause and will see him playing in the French capital next summer.
It is news that will come as a blow to other clubs chasing his signature, with Premier League trio Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa all having been linked with the 22-year-old in recent weeks.
First mooted as a Liverpool transfer target, it was seemingly Villa who had taken the lead in the race for his signature, but now that PSG have arrived they are unlikely to be able to compete even if they were to activate his release clause themselves.
He will add some much-needed cover and help for Marco Verratti, who often looks to be left alone in midfield for the Parisians, and Christoph Galtier will be hoping that Ugarte will be able to provide some backbone to a side that often looks devoid of one on the biggest European stage.
