Last weekend, Record stated Newcastle United have identified Sporting’s Manuel Ugarte as a target for the summer.
The midfielder has a €60m release clause in his contract that expires in 2026 and the Lions are planning to extend the deal and raise the clause to €80m.
For the past few days, reports in the UK have said Newcastle want Ugarte to form a midfield partnership with Bruno Guimarães next season. It was also stated the Magpies would assess the possibility of making the right offer.
O Jogo have relayed this and they then give their own take on the Uruguay international, who is an ‘important player’ for Rúben Amorim.
Newcastle have been told Sporting are ‘not in the mood’ to lower their request and want the €60m release clause to be paid to sign the midfielder. Their financial situation is better and therefore, they intend to sell some of their players at a high value.
Sporting’s Pedro Porro joined Tottenham Hotspur on loan [€5m fee] with an obligation to buy set at €40m. O Jogo state the Lions have used this as an example to send a ‘warning to England’. This could be applicable for Newcastle in their pursuit of Ugarte.
Last month, Sporting signed Mateo Tanlongo and he is considered as a possible successor to the South American. The Portuguese club are well prepared to face the potential exit of Ugarte after this season.
