Liverpool have been in talks with Sporting Lisbon for “two weeks” about signing Manuel Ugarte but they are “unwilling” to pay his €60m (£53m) release clause, according to journalist Jacque Talbot.
The FootballTransfers.com reporter claims that the Uruguayan international is expected to leave Sporting this summer, although a move to Anfield is far from certain at this stage:
Release clause – Sporting have 70% and Famalicão 30% – Lisbon side will demand full whack.
Liverpool source less sure at this point over possible deal for Ugarte – but he does fit bill.
— Jacque Talbot (@jac_talbot) April 29, 2023
Supporters on Twitter are not happy that the Reds are stringing out negotiations for Ugarte, although some are hoping that the club are just trying to get the best deal possible:
Are we that broke
— wenny (@kennylanta) April 29, 2023
This just strikes me as a good negotiating tactic rather than being cheap, though. At least I hope that’s what it is 😂
— Aaron Thompson 唐仲渊 (@athompson07) April 29, 2023
Always unwilling to spend
— Marvin LFC (@lfcmarvin) April 29, 2023
IT’S A NEGOTIATION TACTIC EVERYONE DON’T PANIC
— Braden 🇨🇴 (@Braden_LFC) April 29, 2023
Broken fc
— TheSaittam🌐 (@TheWahlgren_) April 29, 2023
£45m more realistic.
— Brandon Dawson (@bdawson1902) April 29, 2023
Unwilling to Pay the Price that doesnt surprise me at all
— Justin Cole LIVERPOOL FC MY LIFE (@JustinC94019825) April 29, 2023
That’s because they wanna do it cheaper with add ons
— johnny (@johnny171938631) April 29, 2023
It is important to point out that Ugarte is only 22 years of age and he has limited experience at the very highest level so it is not unsurprising that Liverpool are reluctant to pay over £50m for him upfront.
If we consider how the club negotiated with Benfica for Darwin Nunez last summer, it’s likely that the Reds want to include substantial add-ons based on performances and to make payments across a number of years. They may not want to take too long in negotiations, though, with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle having also been linked with the midfielder.