Manuel Ugarte is on Liverpool’s summer shortlist (Quality Sport Images/Getty)
Liverpool target Manuel Ugarte is ‘almost certain’ to leave Sporting CP this summer, according to the midfielder’s agent.
Jurgen Klopp is keen to sign at least one new central midfielder in the summer transfer window with Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister, Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch and West Ham captain Declan Rice all on Liverpool’s shortlist.
Reports in Portugal have claimed that Liverpool are set to open talks over a summer deal for Ugarte, who has a £52 million release clause in his contract with Sporting.
And now Ugarte’s agent has indicated that the Uruguay international is expected to be on the move at the end of the season.
‘It’s almost certain that he won’t stay, it’s sure he’ll leave,’ Jorge Chijane told O Jogo.
Manuel Ugarte has a £52m release clause in his deal with Sporting (Getty)
‘I believe that in 15 days the situation will be resolved.
‘Soon I’ll be in Lisbon. I trust Jorge Mendes, who is the best agent in the world. In fact, when I told him about Ugarte for the first time, he said to me: ‘Your eyes are my eyes’.’
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When asked about Liverpool’s interst, Chijane said: ‘There is a lot of talk, but they are not the only club, there are others
‘There is a lot of talk, but I am still not sure about the club. There are many possibilities on the table.’
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Liverpool are set to make a move.