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Manchester United Completes Signing Of Manuel Ugarte From PSG
Manchester United has confirmed the signing of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Manuel Ugarte for an initial fee of 42.3 million.
The Uruguay international, whose fee could rise by a further £8.5m if add-ons are triggered, has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford after passing a medical.
He joined as Scott McTominay ended his 22-year association with United by moving to Napoli for £25.7m, with the FA Cup winners also having a 10 percent sell-on clause.
Ugarte’s arrival takes United’s summer spending to around £200m and Erik ten Hag’s to about £600m over the course of his reign.
He signed too late to be registered in time for the match against Liverpool on Sunday, but he was a player that Manchester United had targeted throughout the summer after weeks of negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain.
The French champions sought a €60 million fee, but United successfully negotiated it down to €50 million upfront, with the remainder contingent on potential bonuses.
Additionally, PSG will receive a 10 percent sell-on clause.
United had made the signing of a defensive midfielder a top priority.
Over the past two seasons, Ugarte averaged the second-highest number of tackles per 90 minutes among players in Europe’s five major leagues.
The 23-year-old is one the best young midfielders in the world and demonstrated that he was named in the tournament’s team of the summer’s Copa America.
Sporting director Dan Ashworth said, “Signing Manuel was another of our primary targets for this summer. He is among the very best ball-winning midfield players in the world and has an excellent record at both club and international levels.
“His qualities, experience, and passion will be a great complement to our strong group of midfielders. Manuel is a player we’ve watched closely, and we are excited to see the positive impact he will make on the pitch and in the dressing room as we continue to strive for success.”
Ugarte, who leaves PSG a year after signing from Sporting Lisbon, added, “It is an incredible feeling to join a club of this magnitude; one that is admired all around the world. The project that the football leadership discussed with me is extremely exciting; Manchester United is an ambitious club and I am an ambitious player.
“The passion of supporters is very important to me; I know how incredible United fans are and I cannot wait to experience Old Trafford. I’m so determined to succeed; I will sacrifice and give everything for my teammates. Together we will fight to win trophies and reach the level where this club needs to be.”
United also signed forward Joshua Zirkzee, full-back Nouss Mazraoui, and central defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro.
Additionally, the sale of McTominay resulted in nearly £100 million generated from the players they sold this summer.
