Liverpool

Liverpool now miss out on signing £52m man, he’s about to join PSG instead

Published

1 year ago

May 25, 2023

Liverpool now miss out on signing £52m man, he’s about to join PSG instead

Liverpool are set to miss out on the signing of Manuel Ugarte, with the Uruguayan destined to join PSG instead.

The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for Ugarte, even reportedly going as far as direct talks with his agents. But according to CM Jornal this morning, that has all been in vain.

They claim that the 22-year-old will instead join PSG, who have already ‘sealed the deal’ with Sporting.

The French champions are said to have triggered Ugarte’s £52m release clause, and have also agreed a five-year deal with the Uruguay international. ‘It’s closed,’ write the Portuguese outlet, Ugarte will be a PSG player next season.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano isn’t quite as certain in his claims, though, which may give some hope to Liverpool fans. Writing on Twitter this morning, the journalist says Ugarte is indeed a ‘concrete target’ for PSG and that terms have already been discussed.

However, Romano goes on to say that non-specific Premier League clubs are still ‘in the race.’

Liverpool set to miss out on Ugarte

Whether this is something that’s already done or not is perhaps already irrelevant to Liverpool. Despite reports in Portugal linking the Reds to Ugarte, ‘insiders’ at Anfield always claimed that he wasn’t a target.

As it turns out, maybe they had the scoop on this one after all.

But perhaps it isn’t quite so cut and dry. Following claims that Liverpool had already spoken with Ugarte’s camp about a move, reports surfaced that Sporting were furious with the Reds.

Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images

Angry that Liverpool had spoken to the player before the end of the season, the Lisbon side reportedly promised ‘punishments’ for them.

Maybe this is that. Maybe it isn’t. We’ll probably never really know. What we do know is that Liverpool will now focus on other targets.

With the news that Mason Mount now has a preference to move to Manchester United, it hasn’t been a great couple of days for Liverpool’s midfield overhaul.

They have a long list though, and this is why. They’ll have always known that not making Champions League next season could affect who they can sign. It could be a blessing in disguise that who they can and can’t sign is getting clearer before the window even opens. Onto the next one!

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Man Utd could seal their place in next season’s Champions League with a point against Chelsea

The Red Devils won 1-0 at Bournemouth last weekend to put one foot in the competition after Liverpool were held to a controversial 1-1 draw by Aston Villa.

The Merseyside club have written to the PGMOL to demand answers over two decisions in the game, as Roberto Firmino scored a late equaliser in his final appearance at Anfield for Liverpool.

Jacob Ramsey had given Unai Emery’s side the lead but two incidents before Firmino’s equaliser caused plenty of controversy and debate.

Liverpool thought they had levelled proceedings when Cody Gakpo found the net from Virgil van Dijk’s pass but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Luis Diaz headed the ball back across goal but Villa defender Ezri Konsa blocked the ball into the path of Van Dijk who set up Gakpo to score. However, the Liverpool defender was in an offside position from Diaz’s header.

In order for Van Dijk to be ruled onside, Konsa’s block at the ball had to be deemed deliberate. After advice from VAR, the referee overturned the goal after looking at the pitchside monitor, with Konsa’s deflection not deemed an intentional play.

Tyrone Mings also escaped a red card after a high challenge into the chest of Gakpo, which left a visible scar.

Cody Gakpo shows the scars left by Tyrone Mings’ challenge (Photo by PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was in the stands for the game after being hit with a touchline ban. He reacted: “I asked the ref why the offside goal was offside, because offside situations should be clear but he explained it to me. He said it was a subjective decision.

“He thinks it is a not deliberate action from the defender, but I think it is. And I think the VAR wasn’t sure. So he maybe thought it’s possible. In the end it’s a subjective decision. You can’t argue with that. He made it and that’s it.”

Klopp admitted he was surprised to see Mings remain on the pitch.

He added: “I was [surprised]. I am not sure if you saw Cody, but he looks sponsored by a very famous brand [Adidas]. Three massive [marks]. I didn’t see it back. Was it a red card from your point of view? That is the question, I cannot answer that question.

“I was probably too far away from that. I saw Cody only later when he showed it to me. You cannot do that without making a proper foul.”

Former referee Keith Hackett felt both decisions were incorrect.

“This was a red card challenge by Mings,” he wrote on Twitter before adding: “In my opinion, the goal should not have been ruled out for offside. The opponent made a deliberate play.”

The result means Man United require just one point from their final two games. As they face Chelsea on Thursday and Fulham on Sunday.

Further reports suggest the PGMOL are set to back their officials decision in the game at Anfield and reject Liverpool’s complaint.