Manchester United move closer to landing top midfield target

Manchester United has spent the summer chasing after Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguay International has reportedly been eyeing the move, too, citing United as the only team he's interested in moving to. 

According to Fabrizio Romano, via his "Daily Briefing" newsletter, United's move for the midfielder has moved one step closer. 

"A deal has finally been sealed between Man United and Paris Saint-Germain," Romano reported. "Ugarte will now travel to Manchester for his medical as he only wanted to join United, while United only wanted him as their priority target to strengthen in midfield."

United was reported to have been previously seeking a loan deal with an obligation to buy. That would have allowed the club to push Ugarte's transfer fee to next summer, helping it stay in line with the Premier League's Financial Fair Play rules. However, the impending sale of Scott McTominay to Napoli likely changed United's situation and allowed the team to push ahead with the deal. 

Ugarte's move comes one year after he swapped Sporting Lisbon for Paris, where he impressed during his 25 games for the club. Ten Hag will likely hope he can form part of a new-look spine for United while also being the long-term successor to Casemiro. 

Once the deal is complete, Ugarte will become United's fifth signing in the summer transfer window. He follows Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, and Matthijs de Ligt. After such substantial investment in the playing squad, Ten Hag will be under pressure to return United to the Champions League or at least produce a strong challenge for one of those spots.

Nevertheless, United has added multiple high-level talents this summer while reducing the squad's average age. The club has been thoughtful in its recruitment, and signs of a long-term blueprint are starting to form. This should be an exciting season for United's fanbase, assuming ten Hag can get his team performing at a high level.