Jurgen Klopp can see a silver lining in Liverpool’s recent transfer snub as he looks to strengthen the Reds’ midfield ranks this summer
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is reportedly set to miss out on midfield target Manuel Ugarte as Paris Saint-Germain completes a high-value transfer. The Reds, on the other hand, could take advantage of a one-in, one-out situation at Parc des Princes by renewing their interest in Renato Sanches.
Liverpool were among a number of Premier League clubs keeping an eye on Ugarte’s situation after he impressed at Sporting Lisbon this season. The Merseyside club sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old play earlier this month, but recent developments indicate that they were not alone.
PSG have now agreed personal terms with Ugarte, according to reports from Portugal and France, and are set to seal the deal by activating his £52 million release clause. Klopp is thought to have plenty of other targets to fall back on, and one more may have risen to the top of the list.
Sanches is already struggling for playing time with the Parisians, having started just five Ligue 1 games this season.
However, this does not diminish the Premier League clubs’ long-standing interest in the Portugal international. Liverpool, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur are all in the running, according to 90min.
With Fabian Ruiz, Marco Verratti, and Vitinha already competing for minutes at PSG, Ugarte’s arrival would almost certainly spell the end for Sanches, who could be available for a reasonable fee this summer.
The 25-year-old was signed from Lille for a bargain £12.5 million last year, having rediscovered his best form after drab spells with Bayern Munich and Swansea City. Sanches is under contract in France for a long time, but Liverpool would not have to break the bank to give PSG a tidy profit.
If Klopp and co. sign Alexis MacAllister, they may be under pressure to pursue good-value transfer options of that ilk, with reports indicating that a £70 million deal with Brighton is on the verge of being struck.
Midfielders will be in high demand at Anfield this summer, with the departures of Arthur Melo, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, and Naby Keita already confirmed.
While it appears that Ugarte will not be brought in to replace them, Sanches may move up the Reds’ wish list if they learn of a low-cost opportunity for a player with significant potential.
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