Manchester United have set their asking price for Manuel Ugarte after AC Milan began talks to sign the midfielder for new boss Ruben Amorim.
Amorim was confirmed as AC Milan’s new manager earlier this week, with the 41-year-old signing a two-year deal with the Italian giants.
A move to Milan marks Amorim’s return to management five months after he was sacked by Manchester United following a difficult spell in charge at Old Trafford.
Amorim is keen to bolster an AC Milan squad which finished just fifth in Serie A last season, failing to qualify for the Champions League under former boss Massimiliano Allegri.
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According to the Daily Mirror, the Portuguese boss has identified his former United player Ugarte as a top summer target and wants the Uruguayan to revive his career in Italy.
Amorim worked with Ugarte during his successful stint at Sporting and then brought him to Manchester United in a £42m deal from PSG.
Old Trafford bosses had high hopes for Ugarte but the 25-year-old has struggled to make an impact, rarely starting under Amorim or Michael Carrick last season.
Despite his struggles, Ugarte still has admirers from across Europe and Amorim’s AC Milan are lining up a summer deal.
It is claimed Carrick has informed Ugarte he is surplus to requirements and should find a new club as he prepares to welcome Ederson and at least one more midfielder to Manchester.
The Red Devils agreed a £35m deal to sign Brazil’s Ederson from Atalanta and are want another midfielder to join Carrick’s squad.
Ugarte accepts his future lies away from the Theatre of Dreams and has told his agent Jorge Mendes to find him a new club.
Mendes is not hanging around and has already opened talks with AC Milan, with Ugarte seemingly open to a third spell under Amorim.
Milan would still need to reach an agreement with Manchester United, who are reportedly hoping to raise £30m for Ugarte, a figure that the Serie A side are reluctant to meet.
Speaking to reports towards the end of last season, Ugarte suggested he intended to stay at Old Trafford and fight for a place in the team.
‘It sounds like a cliche, but it’s what you learn the most from,’ Ugarte said of his struggles.
‘It’s something you have to learn to deal with, and it’s part of the career. I’ve learned a lot, and I know my opportunity will come.’
Meanwhile, Ugarte was urged to ‘make a good decision for him and his family’ by countryman Gus Poyet, who once wanted him to join Manchester United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea.
‘Before he went to Paris Saint-Germain, I wanted him to come to Chelsea,’ Poyet said in March.
‘When they started the rumours, Chelsea, big Chelsea, you know you want to come, make a decision, come to Chelsea.
‘I don’t know him, so I couldn’t call him! And he went to Paris Saint-Germain and I was a little bit upset because I thought it was perfect at that time for Chelsea.
‘But after that, he kind of didn’t kick on. Paris Saint-Germain and now Manchester United. He needs to find the right club.
‘So, yes, it’s a big summer for Ugarte and I hope he makes a good decision for him and for his family.’
As well as targeting Ugarte, Amorim is also believed to be keen to sign a new striker and admires former Manchester United target Goncalo Ramos.
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