Manchester United ready to accept £25m loss on Manuel Ugarte to fund midfield rebuild

Manchester United are reportedly willing to accept a considerable financial loss on midfielder Manuel Ugarte this summer as the club looks to reshape its squad. The Uruguayan international, who arrived at Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain for an initial fee of £42.3 million in 2024, has struggled to establish himself in English football.

Ugarte made just 10 starts across all competitions last season. With Manchester United aiming to rebuild their midfield ahead of the upcoming campaign, the potential sale of the 25-year-old is seen as a crucial step in that process.

Financial Implications and Profitability Rules

According to a report by Sun Sport, Manchester United would need to recoup approximately £25.38 million from Ugarte’s sale to avoid a financial loss that would impact their Profitability and Sustainability (PSR) calculations. The club, however, is understood to be confident in its ability to absorb this potential loss.

This confidence is reportedly bolstered by the net profit generated from the sale of Alejandro Garnacho in the previous year. Additional funds have also been secured through the departures of academy players and a sell-on clause activated by Alvaro Carreras’s transfer to Real Madrid.

Obstacles to a Transfer

A significant challenge in offloading Ugarte is understood to be his reported weekly wage of £120,000. Despite this figure, the club is reportedly hesitant to actively market the midfielder across Europe, aiming to protect his perceived transfer value. There is also a realistic possibility that Ugarte may remain at Manchester United beyond the summer transfer window.

Midfield Overhaul Under Carrick

The potential departure of Ugarte is viewed as a key element in Michael Carrick’s strategy to strengthen the midfield. Manchester United has already made strides in reducing their wage bill by releasing players such as Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia. Offloading the Uruguayan would further free up financial resources and space on the wage bill, potentially enabling the signing of a third midfielder. This would complement the anticipated arrivals of Ederson and Mateus Fernandes.

The influence of agent Jorge Mendes, who represents both Ugarte and Fernandes, is also expected to play a role in the negotiation process. Retaining a high-earning player who is not a regular starter could significantly restrict Manchester United’s transfer activity during this critical rebuilding period.

Key Transfer Details

This development is significant for FootballGames10 readers as it sheds light on Manchester United’s strategic financial decisions and their approach to squad investment. Understanding the financial implications and transfer dynamics provides insight into the club’s ambition for improvement under new management. The willingness to accept a financial loss on Ugarte underscores the club’s commitment to a necessary midfield overhaul.

Source: Sports Mole Football RSS – https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-utd/transfer-talk/news/man-utd-willing-to-accept-gbp25m-loss-after-bold-transfer-call_599863.html