One year on, Liverpool gets an unexpected second chance to sign a £52 million midfield player.

Liverpool will get another opportunity to capture the midfield player they were passed over in 2023.

It’s not the one they anticipated. Only a year after joining from Sporting, Manuel Ugarte is apparently open to transfers to Paris Saint-Germain. According to the Daily Mail, the Parisians paid £52 million in 2023, but they are now prepared to let go of the Uruguayan.

In the previous Ligue 1 season, Ugarte made 21 starts as PSG won the championship. As a defensive midfielder, he was much behind Vitinha in Luis Enrique’s favoured starting lineup and was unable to establish himself as a regular.

According to ESPN Uruguay, Ugarte is now leaving Paris. Manchester United is in the lead and reportedly wants to sign the 23-year-old, according to multiple sources.

But is this one something Liverpool ought to become engaged in?

LIVERPOOL LINKED WITH UGARTE 

Prior to Ugarte’s transfer to PSG in 2023, Liverpool was also connected to him. For example, at one point Record listed them as the front-runners.

However, nothing ever turned out as planned. Maybe because PSG made a move, or maybe because Liverpool was more interested in Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. Alternatively, it’s possible that they were indifferent and never made an offer.

That being said, things have changed. Wataru Endo was ultimately signed by Liverpool at the end of the transfer window, sort of as a last-ditch effort. Even though he was successful, he might not be the best choice in the long run.

Ugarte might be. According to statistics, he is particularly good at passing and tackling, two crucial tasks for a holding midfielder. Ugarte ranks in the 99th percentile for tackles, 96th percentile for interceptions, and 95th percentile for pass completion among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, according to FBref.

There’s also a lot of time and potential there at 23.

This summer, Liverpool hasn’t been connected to Ugarte; by all reports, United is leading the pursuit. But we do wonder if it’s one to watch out for.

More news…..

Liverpool and Tottenham battle for ‘world-class’ Premier League talent with a £60 million release clause.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are expected to be active in the summer transfer window as they seek to strengthen their squads ahead of next season.

The Reds were in the Premier League title fight for much of the season, but experienced a late-season slump, finishing third in the table.

Meanwhile, Tottenham were in contention for the Champions League until mid-April, but ultimately finished fifth.

A Premier League star who has been linked with both Liverpool and Tottenham has now been confirmed to have a release clause.

Crystal Palace sources have revealed to TBR Football that England player Eberechi Eze has a release clause in his contract.

Eze signed his current contract late last year, and it was thought that it contained a provision.

TBR can now confirm the existence of a clause, which we are informed is comparable to Michael Olise’s and worth at least £60 million.

While Eze’s clause, like Olise’s, is active, Palace has made it clear to both players that they do not want them to leave and that if they do, their clauses should be paid in full – rather than accepting any form of deal.

Eze, who has been named to England’s Euro 2024 squad, has several suitors, including Liverpool, Tottenham, and Newcastle, all of which are aware of his contractual status.

Liverpool and Tottenham are buoyed by Eberechi Eze’s release clause

We’ve all seen how excellent Eze is at the top level, so the news that the ‘world-class’ 25-year-old has a release clause is fantastic for Liverpool and Tottenham.

Obviously, a player of Eze’s calibre will not come cheap, but if a club is willing to activate the release clause, Palace cannot stand in his way.

Let us see what occurs in the coming weeks. Without a doubt, Eze would be an excellent addition to any of the Premier League’s best teams; the only question now is who is ready to put up the money.