Galatasaray are increasingly confident of signing Manuel Ugarte from Manchester United with one former Arsenal star convincing him to make the switch to Turkey.
United signed the Uruguay international from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024 but he has underwhelmed in Manchester since that £50million move.
Ugarte played under Ruben Amorim for Sporting CP but the United boss singled him out as a player who has been ‘struggling’ this season in November.
Ugarte had been limited to just two starting appearances this season until Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo picked up injuries, opening up a spot in the team.
The 24-year-old has started United’s last two games against Newcastle United and Wolves but growing transfer interest in Turkey has cast doubt over his future.
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Galatasaray are eager to make a midfield addition this month and according to Sozcu, have turned their focus to Ugarte, making ‘significant process’ in negotiations with United over a January switch.
The Turkish giants have proposed a loan move with a purchase option with United pushing for a mandatory obligation – similar to the arrangement that took Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli in the summer.
While talks have progressed positively so far, Galatasaray are insisting on that optional condition with the report suggesting United are ‘considering’ that arrangement.
Ugarte is prepared to make the move to Turkey which would see him linking up with countrymen Fernando Muslera and Lucas Torreira. The report adds the pair have successfully convinced the United star to join Gala after selling him their goals and projects for this season and beyond.
Torreria, who joined Arsenal after the 2018 World Cup, has racked up over 100 appearances for Gala, finding a new home struggling in England and Spain.
United are planning to revamp their midfield this year with doubts also over the futures of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson are two top targets with reports this week suggesting United are once again exploring a move for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba this month.
Amorim however this week insisted there are no ongoing talks over any moves taking place.
‘The transfer window is not going to change,’ Amorim said ahead of United’s trip to Leeds United.
‘We have no conversations in this moment to have any change in the squad,” the United head coach said. ‘There is a process, there is an idea. That is going to continue.
‘We are near the places of the Champions League but we are near also eight teams behind us, so let’s focus on the next game, just that.’