Tottenham are expected to be in the market for midfield reinforcements.
Tottenham Hotspur are enduring a difficult period and have struggled to produce positive results in recent months. They remain the only top-flight team yet to win a single league game since the turn of the year, and after Igor Tudor oversaw just one victory in seven games in all competitions, the club bosses decided to replace him with Roberto De Zerbi last week.
Having arrived on a five-year deal, Roberto De Zerbi’s immediate priority is to help Spurs avoid relegation this season. The Italian’s appointment has not gone down well in certain sections of the fanbase, but everyone associated with the club must rally behind our new gaffer during the decisive juncture of the campaign.
Simultaneously, the Tottenham officials have started planning for the summer transfer window. They have reportedly decided against handing Yves Bissouma a contract extension, meaning the combative midfielder is set to leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season. There is uncertainty surrounding the future of Joao Palhinha as well, and going by recent claims, the defensive midfielder’s loan from Bayern Munich will not be turned into a permanent deal.
This would make it ever so important to go for new midfielders in the summer.
Tottenham receive information on Manchester United midfielder
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Tottenham are among three Premier League teams who have all ‘previously tracked Manchester United misfit Manuel Ugarte’ and ‘remain informed on developments‘. Aston Villa and Newcastle United are the other two clubs, while Juventus are also long-term admirers of the 24-year-old.
Manuel Ugarte, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024, has endured a frustrating campaign at Old Trafford. He has been limited to 21 Premier League appearances and has been unable to cement a regular starting role. Interim boss Michael Carrick has favoured Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo in midfield in his 4-2-3-1 system, leaving the Uruguayan international on the periphery.
As a result, Ugarte wants to leave Manchester United in the summer to reignite his career. The defensive midfielder had explored the possibility of a loan exit during the January window, with Galatasaray coming close to securing his signature. However, that move was blocked by the Mancunian club. The report adds that Galatasaray’s interest has not withered away, and they are now preparing to revive their pursuit of the Man United outcast ahead of the summer transfer window.
Spurs must avoid going for Ugarte
Despite Ugarte failing to live up to the lofty expectations at Man United, there is no shortage of interest in him. Indeed, he is just 24 and has plenty of time to get his career back on track. The Red Devils are open to offloading Ugarte and recouping as much money as possible.
The tough-tackling Uruguayan’s representatives have begun exploring alternative options to a move to Galatasaray, who remain well-positioned to secure his signing at the end of the summer. From Tottenham’s perspective, any move for Ugarte would depend on whether the club stays in the top flight or not. Even if Spurs manage to beat the drop, they must avoid going for the 24-year-old.
This is purely because Ugarte doesn’t fit into De Zerbi’s possession-based system. He is not a tempo-dictating, technically strong midfielder to operate as a No.6, and going by his struggles at United, Spurs would be better off making a move for the South American.