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Opinion
Man United may have just handed Liverpool a big opportunity to seal £51m deal before end of August
Manchester United may have just inadvertently helped Liverpool towards landing Arne Slot’s first summer signing since arriving at Anfield.
It’s now become clear that Slot would definitely like to add a new number six at Liverpool before the transfer window slams shut later this month.
Erik ten Hag and his team have been chasing a defensive midfielder all summer, perhaps hoping that 32-year-old Casemiro will eventually pave the way for a new signing.
In that regard, Scott McTominay could leave United too, handing Ten Hag further capacity to make a new addition.
That being said, David Ornstein shared an on Tuesday saying that Liverpool have identified a target to be their new number six.
In what has been a successful pre-season so far, Slot has used all of Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch in the pivot.
And whilst the Dutchman was particularly pleased with Gravenberch’s efforts, Liverpool will still take to the market.
Richard Hughes recently stated that Liverpool would be more active towards the end of August, and United may have just helped their hand.
Liverpool could be lining up surprise move for Man United target Manuel Ugarte
In his update, Ornstein didn’t name who Liverpool had identified, but confirmed that it was a midfielder playing outside of the Premier League.
Interestingly, The Athletic journalist also provided a on Monday explaining that United were no longer pursuing Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte, not tempted to pay his £51m release clause.
TBR Football recently shared that Ugarte wanted to join United, but efforts to take the defensive midfielder to Old Trafford have ended for now.
That being said, is it too convenient to then piece those pieces of the puzzle together?
Could Manchester United stepping away now allow Liverpool to pursue Ugarte as the final piece of their midfield?
It’s certainly possible.
Right now, Ugarte is one of five names hypothesised by Liverpool fans, a list that also includes Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Ederson (Atalanta), Morten Hjulmand (Sporting CP) and Morten Frendrup (Genoa).
Perhaps Zubimendi would be the most obvious stylistic choice given his passing expertise, but Ugarte’s arrival should certainly not be seen as a disappointment.
All that being said, one midfielder already decided that he would prefer to join United over Liverpool this summer were he given the choice.