Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte could be used as a bargaining chip to strike a deal with Newcastle United this summer.
A midfield overhaul is on the horizon for Manchester United and Manuel Ugarte is expected to leave as part of Ineos’ plans.
United fans are open to Ugarte leaving, and clubs have already started to show interest in the Uruguay international.
Juventus have been linked with Ugarte, but CaughtOffside report that Newcastle United are also among a list of suitors that also includes Aston Villa and Galatasaray.
Manuel Ugarte playing against Aston Villa
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Manuel Ugarte could be used in Sandro Tonali or Bruno Guimaraes swap deal
Ahead of the summer window, United have been linked to Sandro Tonali and Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes as potential midfield additions.
Newcastle are resigned to having to sell key players in the upcoming summer amid their PSR concerns and failure to qualify for the Champions League.
If the Magpies have identified Manuel Ugarte as a potential replacement for any outgoing midfielders, it makes a lot of sense for Ineos to propose a sort of swap deal.
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Offering Ugarte would likely decrease the amount of cash that United would have to pay for the likes of Tonali or Guimaraes. Tonali is expected to cost around £87m%20by%20Newcastle.) this summer, while Guimaraes has a release clause of £100m.
United’s asking price for Ugarte is between £25m-£29m, so the Uruguayan could help to make a deal more realistic for the Red Devils.
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FC Barcelona v Newcastle United FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg
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Newcastle have already engaged in Premier League swap deals
When Newcastle were shackled by PSR restraints in 2023, they engaged in swap deals with Premier League clubs to help balance their books.
Newcastle struck a sort of swap deal with Nottingham Forest by selling Elliot Anderson for a club-record fee of £35m while goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos was signed for a fee of £20m.
READ MORE: Newcastle could boost Man Utd’s PSR with transfer move for ‘nightmare’ £50m talent
A similar deal could make sense for Tonali, where Newcastle could still demand a £100m fee for a standalone deal but also agree to sign Ugarte for around £30m in a move which would benefit both clubs.
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