By Pranav Shahaney

21st Apr, 2023 | 7:40pm

Leeds United in transfer boost with Sporting set to cash in on Manuel Ugarte after Europa League exit

Leeds United appear to have been handed a major boost in their quest to sign Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte this summer.

According to Leonino [21 April], after failing to win the Europa League and getting knocked on Thursday, 20 April, to Juventus, they’ve already started to clean house.

Due to this, there is a significant financial gap which they need to bridge and for that reason, they need to sell one of their star players.

It’s understood that Ugarte, 22, fits the bill and he is being valued between £53million and £70million for the upcoming window.

According to Record [19 April], the Whites are considering making a bid for the Uruguayan midfielder if they avoid getting relegated this season.

While his valuation appears to be steep as things stand, there will be chances to negotiate and bring it down as they’re desperate for a sale and will not hold the power in negotiations.

It remains to be seen if the new manager or even Javi Gracia if he continues, will want to make Weston McKennie’s transfer permanent.

Instead of that, if they get the chance to sign Ugarte, they surely will take it and the San Francisco 49ers are likely to back the manager well in their first window at the club.

It will be the perfect way to begin their era at Elland Road by sanctioning a move for Ugarte, someone who has the potential to become a world class midfielder in the future.

In other Leeds United news, a Whites player has a potential offer on the table and could seal his permanent Elland Road exit this summer.