Man United set for £25m Manuel Ugarte boost after missing out on swap deal opportunity
Manchester United could receive a £25million boost in their pursuit of Manuel Ugarte - if they sell Hannibal Mejbri.
United have been on the hunt for a new midfielder all summer, targeting Paris Saint-Germain's Ugarte and Burnley's Sander Berge. Originally, The Clarets were looking to swap Berge with Scott McTominay, but this potential deal has since fallen through.
Berge is set to join Fulham in a £20m-plus transfer instead, according to The Athletic. But this doesn't mean Man United can't still profit from Burnley, with young midfielder Mejbri currently on the market and a player of interest to the Clarets.
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Hannibal is entering the final year of his contract and Burnley are keen to sign the 21-year-old, even if it is just on loan for the season. United would favour a permanent sale, with the midfielder failing to become a regular first-team player for the club.
Burnley could use the £25m transfer fee received for Berge to sign Hannibal, which in turn would boost United's finances and enable them to make an offer for Ugarte - who has reportedly already agreed terms with the Old Trafford club.
Originally, the Red Devils were unwilling to meet Paris Saint-Germain's asking price of £51.1m for the Uruguay international and planned to sell Scott McTominay to Napoli to fund the transfer.
The £25m price tag on McTominay may have deterred Napoli, as they are also targeting Brighton's Billy Gilmour, but the sale of another midfielder could put the wheels in motion for United.
Erik ten Hag may also be interested in securing Ugarte on a loan move with an