Man Utd handed huge Manuel Ugarte boost as Erik ten Hag's look to make PSG star latest new signing

As PSG prepare to kick off their Ligue 1 title defence, all eyes were on the squad selection by head coach Luis Enrique. The reigning French champions are set to face newly-promoted Le Havre at the Stade Océane, but the absence of Ugarte from the 20-man travelling squad raised eyebrows as his omission has only intensified rumours of a potential exit, with United reportedly leading the race for his signature.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils are locked in negotiations with PSG and the deal is still "absolutely on". The 23-year-old was acquired from Sporting Lisbon for a fee of around £51 million ($66m), a similar amount to what PSG is now demanding from his suitors. However, United have so far been reluctant to meet PSG's asking price which has seen the transfer stall.

Reports from within the Ugarte camp suggest that the player is eager to make the switch to Old Trafford. It is believed that Ugarte has already agreed to personal terms with the Premier League giants, and he has made it clear that he wants the move to happen "as soon as possible." And the recent omission from the matchday squad is an indication that the player could realise his dream of playing in the Premier League before the transfer window closes.

While United have been active in the transfer market this summer, their focus has primarily been on shoring up their defence and attack. The arrivals of Lenny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui have added depth to the backline, while Joshua Zirkzee has strengthened the attack However, the midfield has yet to see any significant upgrades, making the potential acquisition of Ugarte even more crucial.