Tottenham’s plans to sign Sporting Club de Portugal midfielder Manuel Ugarte may have been handed a boost as the Portuguese club will be forced to sell this summer.
That’s according to Leonino, who say Sporting’s failure in Europe and the increasing likelihood they won’t qualify for the Champions League next season means the sale of a big-name player is necessary.
According to their information, the club are ‘preparing to sell’ at least one of the stars of the current squad and Ugarte is in pole position in that regard.
He has been leaving a good impression in the Europa League this season and Sporting are more than aware of that fact.
Their current financial situation means they have been left with ‘no other alternative’ but to make a sale to balance the books and Ugarte is one player who secure them a ‘significant financial gain’.
Their interest was first reported back at the end of March, with an insistence it was real, and they were eyeing a deal in the summer.
That was followed by a claim Tottenham were promising to move forward with an official bid.
Well, they now appear likely to be handed their chance to get him as Sporting are planning for a sale, with the hope of getting €60-80m for one of their star men.
Whether that’s a figure Spurs are willing to pay is debatable, but they do have good experience of negotiating with Sporting after the protracted deal for Pedro Porro in the January transfer window.
That might come in handy in bringing the fee down on Ugarte, with Sporting’s seemingly desperate need for cash opening up the possibility of the deal at least.
