Manuel Ugarte was left out of Paris Saint-Germain’s game against Montpellier on Friday night as Manchester United explore a deal for the Uruguay midfielder.
Ugarte, who also missed the opening game against Le Havre, is valued at more than £50million by PSG but United are understood to be trying to drive the price down closer to £40m.
Whether United are able to sign Ugarte in a permanent deal, or more likely loan him with an obligation to buy next summer, may depend on selling a player before next Friday’s deadline to help comply with profit and sustainability rules.
Juventus are leading the chase for Jadon Sancho despite interest from his old club Borussia Dortmund, and Scott McTominay is a target for their Serie A rivals Napoli.
United want to sell Sancho for around £40m after loaning him back to Dortmund for the second half of last season.
Manuel Ugarte was left out of the Paris Saint-Germain squad again on Friday evening
Man United manager Erik ten Hag is keen to add a new midfielder to his squad this summer
If the winger goes out on loan again, United would insist on a fee and an obligation to buy as part of the deal, as well as the other club paying a portion of Sancho’s £250,000-a-week salary.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag’s side meet Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon with the United manager challenging Alejandro Garnacho to put in the work required to become a truly world-class player.
Ten Hag said: ‘He has to go a long way. He has high potential and he showed last season he can contribute and be a starting XI player. To make the jump and become a world-class player, it starts with very hard work.’