EXCLUSIVE: Berge an option for Man Utd as Ugarte bid falls short
Burnley midfielder Sander Berge has emerged as a fall-back option for Manchester United if they fail to strike a deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte, The Transfers Podcast understands.
Berge, 26, is open to a transfer following the Clarets’ relegation and the Lancashire outfit want to sell players in order to balance the books this summer.
Ugarte remains Man Utd’s first choice midfield target and a path to the 23-year-old’s exit from the Parc des Princes appeared to be cleared this week through the arrival of Joao Neves.
The 19-year-old Portugal international has agreed to join PSG for an initial €60m from Benfica, with add-ons expected to take that deal to €70m overall. Neves flew to Paris this morning to undergo his medical.
Renato Sanches will return to Benfica on a one-year loan deal – with his wages covered by the French Ligue 1 side – as part of the transfer.
PSG value Ugarte at €10m more than Man Utd’s €50m offer the Uruguay midfielder.
Luis Enrique’s side have been steadfast in their wish to recoup the €60m they paid to Sporting CP for Ugarte last summer, saying they will not sell at a discount.
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Man Utd’s midfield pursuit
“The PSG stance has been consistently: ‘Give us the money we paid to Sporting last summer or we will not sell to you’” Duncan Castles tells The Transfers Podcast.
“On the player’s side, they’re confident that he is Manchester United’s first choice and they’re confident that a resolution will be arrived at.
“But talking to all the people involved in this deal, it is not as clear cut as some people are expecting.”
Man Utd are searching the market for alternatives with PSV’s Joey Veerman, a Netherlands international who played at this summer’s European Championship, being looked at.
Martin Zubimendi is also of interest, though it is difficult to do business with his club Real Sociedad. Adrien Rabiot is another option following his exit from Juventus under freedom of contract.
Berge joined Sheffield United from Genk in January 2020, playing two seasons in the Premier League and two in the Championship for the Blades before signing for Burnley upon their promotion last summer.
“A taller player, a more elegant player in the midfield, but very good at retaining possession,” Duncan Castles says of Berge. “Obviously he has Premier League experience, 66 games in the top tier, three goals, four assists, and would definitely be a cheaper option than Ugarte.”
The Norway international has other suitors on his trail including Champions League clubs in Spain and Italy.
Scott McTominay is the midfielder most likely to make way for a new signing with it expected that the Scotland international ends up at another Premier League team this summer.
Man Utd have rejected bids of £17m and £20m from Fulham for their home-grown Scot, but the Cottagers are anticipated to come in again with their initial offers well short of Man Utd’s £40m asking price.
Tottenham also retain an interest and could attract McTominay with the allure of European football.
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