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Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, PSG, Football, Transfers
Ryan Smart
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, PSG, Football, Transfers
Manchester United have decided to walk out of negotiations for one of their top summer transfer targets due to a high asking price, according to reports.
United have already completed deals for Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro this summer, but are beginning to run out of time to finalise more additions before the Community Shield clash against Manchester City this weekend.
And Yoro's injury scare suffered against Arsenal - a metatarsal problem which is believed to cause him to miss the first three league games of the season - has added a fresh concern for manager Erik ten Hag ahead of the new campaign.
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Negotiations have been ongoing over the signing of a new midfielder, meanwhile, with Ten Hag keen to add further depth to that area following the departure of Sofyan Amrabat.
But according to The Athletic, United will not be pressing ahead with a deal for PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who is believed to have been one of the club's top targets.
Initial reports had claimed that United had agreed personal terms with the Uruguayan, but they are now unwilling to match PSG's £51 million asking price.
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The decision is part of a new transfer strategy put in place by minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, where United set valuations for each target and are unwilling to budge considerably far away from those.
While that is a common practice at other clubs, United were heavily criticised under the full ownership of the Glazers over perceived overpayment on players such as Antony and Mason Mount - who had 12 months left on his Chelsea contract but was sold for around £60 million last summer.
The Athletic add that United could return for Ugarte if PSG reduce their asking price, but are now beginning to look at other options.
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One option that remains is former Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who is still a free agent after completing Euro 2024 duty with France. According to Fabrizio Romano, talks have not yet advanced over a deal for the 29-year-old.