Newcastle have a bit of a player cabal that will come together before the coming season. Guimaraes, Tonali and Anthony Gordon are all linked with other big clubs, the prospects of bringing in income from UEFA next season look poor. With seven games left, the club is in a lead-heavy 14th place. Now it is reported that a redundant Man United player is one of the top targets in the summer transfer market.
Manuel Ugarte is known for his hard work, his defensive qualities and for bringing strength to the midfield. However, the Uruguayan international has not been successful at Manchester United since his transfer in 2024. This does not seem to scare the Newcastle management.
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According to Football-Insider’s sources , the Magpies have singled out Ugarte as their primary target to “anchor the team” ahead of the upcoming season, a missing piece of Newcastle’s tactical puzzle.
Ugarte has little game time, Newcastle are eager to take advantage of this situation, it is reported. Where United fans see the 25-year-old as superfluous, Newcastle see the defensive midfielder as a first-class “number six”, who can immediately raise their defensive strength.
Transfer journalist Pete O’Rourke draws the analysis on Ugarte and Newcastle:
“I think they (Newcastle) have had a long-standing interest in Ugarte.De looked at him when he was at Sporting Lisbon, but the last couple of transfers haven’t worked out for Ugarte. First and foremost at PSG, and now at Man United, he has been a bit disappointing.”
“He has fallen out of favour this season under Michael Carrick. He has only started seven games in the Premier League, so he has struggled to get the desired effect that many expected. By using a disciplined, clean destroyer like Ugarte in the back midfield, Newcastle would effectively free Guimarães and free him from heavy defensive burdens.”
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Newcastle want Ugarte, Manchester United are bringing in new reinforcements to their midfield and have Ugarte as a redundant. The 25-year-old can secure plenty of playing time at Newcastle without leaving the Premier League. Sounds like a “done deal”.
