Manuel Ugarte has attracted of several clubs across Europe and Italian giants and Serie A champions AC Milan plan to lure the Sporting Clube de Portugal midfielder to the Stadio San Siro. The 21-year-old Uruguay international was acquired by the Portuguese giants from Famalicao in August 2021, and he has emerged as an energetic defensive midfielder.
Ugarte also was a part of the Uruguayan squad for the 2022 World Cup in November and December, but he did not feature in any matches at the tournament.
Ugarte has been a regular feature in their European fixtures, playing six times in the Champions League as well as making three appearances in the Europa League so far in 2022/23.
Can AC Milan beat Roma and Premier League money?
According to O Jogo, AC Milan are not the only Italian club interested in signing Ugarte, as AS Roma are also interested in the Uruguayan midfielder. However, several English Premier League clubs such as Leeds United, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
It will not be easy for the Italian clubs to sign the 21-year-old. They are arguably in a better position than Leeds, Villa, and Spurs to sign him, but the newfound fortune of the Magpies and the Portuguese connections at Wolves might make his acquisition a tough task.
Maldini pushing Ugarte at AC Milan
AC Milan legend and technical director Paolo Maldini has identified that the Rossoneri midfield has problems and he admires the drive Ugarte has demonstrated at Sporting CP. At the age of 21, the Uruguay international has his best years ahead of him and a player of his attributes would add something different to Stefano Pioli’s squad.
Sandro Tonali and Ismael Bennacer operate as deep-lying playmakers, Rade Krunic is a utility player suited to attacking roles, and Tommaso Pobega does not suit Pioli’s system.
A player like Ugarte could be of great use to the AC Milan coach given that Franck Kessie has not been adequately replaced after the Ivorian signed for Barcelona on a free transfer in 2022.
