Man United 'trying to force' lower asking price for midfield transfer target

It has been a busy summer at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils already splashing out around £150m on new signings, while they have also seen a few first-team players depart in recent weeks.

United signed Leny Yoro for £43m and Joshua Zirkzee for £36m from Lille and Bologna respectively last month, before securing the services of Bayern Munich duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui days before the start of the new season.

In terms of player sales, Erik ten Hag's side have bid farewell to the likes of Mason Greenwood, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Willy Kambwala and Donny van de Beek.

However, it seems that the Red Devils have one more target in mind and are willing to wait until the last minute before trying to acquire his services.

Man United prepared to play hardball for Ugarte signature

Man United have been linked with a move for Ugarte for several weeks now but are unwilling to meet the £51m valuation Les Parisiens have placed on him.

According to The Guardian, United are still keen to complete a deal for the Uruguay international this summer but are prepared to wait until deadline day to force PSG to reconsider their asking price.

The report adds that Ten Hag's side believe that Ugarte is no longer in Luis Enrique's plans, which could force the Ligue 1 champions to sell him at a reduced price as the transfer deadline approaches.

It is understood that in an effort to lower the 23-year-old's asking price, the Red Devils are open to including players like Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Scott McTominay in the deal.

Of these, Sancho and McTominay are believed to be the most likely to leave Old Trafford this summer, and their departures might proceed independently of the Ugarte transfer negotiations with PSG.

Red Devils also eyeing up Ugarte alternatives

While Ugarte remains United's primary midfield target, reports this week suggest that the Premier League giants are also considering other options in the event they are unable to strike a deal with PSG.

Given Casemiro's solid performance during pre-season and in their opening match of the new campaign against Fulham, it is understood that the Red Devils are now lining up a surprise move for Burnley midfielder Sander Berge.

Berge arrived at Turf Moor for a fee of around £12m from Sheffield United at the start of the 2023-24 campaign and featured in all but one of the Clarets' Premier League matches last season.

The Norwegian is reportedly valued by his current employers at around £30m, which is believed to be closer to the type of fee United are willing to fork over for a new midfield reinforcement.

United will be back in action this weekend when they make the trip to the American Express Stadium to take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.