By Jonty Banks

29th Apr, 2023 | 8:10pm

Leeds United and Tottenham transfer news as £50m+ shield emerges for Manuel Ugarte

Leeds United, Tottenham and Newcastle all want to sign Manuel Ugarte despite the midfielder being shielded by a £53million release clause, according to Record.

The Portuguese newspaper shared in its print edition [29 April, page 10] that the Uruguayan international, who has eight caps for his country, also has suitors in both Spain and Italy.

Sporting Lisbon are expected to counterbalance Ugarte’s potential exit with transfers into the club this summer, while it was previously reported by Record (27 April) that the Portuguese outfit wouldn’t sell Ugart unless his release clause was met.

Pricey

Leeds United are desperately in need of extra midfield depth this summer, and Ugarte fits the bill perfectly apart from his £53million shield.

Since Tyler Adams’ ill-timed injury, the Whites have struggled for dominance in the middle of the park, with both Marc Roca and Weston McKennie failing to live up to expectations.

With the injury-prone Adam Forshaw the only other suitable alternative in midfield right now, the need for a player in Ugarte’s ilk is striking.

However, despite the Sporting Lisbon midfielder experiencing a superb campaign and looking ready-made for the Premier League, the £53million price could push Leeds out of the race.

Although the imminent takeover of the 49ers will hopefully allow Leeds to enter the summer transfer window with a strong war chest, the likes of Newcastle and Spurs will probably still have too much spending power.

A move for Ugarte is also dependent on Leeds maintaining their Premier League status, which right now is right in the balance.

In other Leeds United news, an exit-bound senior player was spotted in tears after what happened recently.