Aston Villa have entered the race for defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte, according to the Daily Mail.
Ugarte signed for Sporting CP in 2021, arriving from Familicao for an estimated €6.5 million fee.
He has since become a key part of Ruben Amorim’s starting XI, especially after the sale of Joao Palhinha to Fulham.
The 22-year-old has started 27 from a possible 32 league games for the Lions, helping them to fourth place.
Additionally, he played a crucial role in their run to the Europa League quarter-finals, starting all ten games.
His performances have earned him some recognition on the international stage. He has made eight appearances for Uruguay and was included in their World Cup squad last year.
Ugarte has been the subject of attention from some of the world’s biggest clubs, with Chelsea and Liverpool both cited with an interest in the midfielder.
Aston Villa are reportedly set to join the race for his signature, which could be worth up to £55m.
If he moves to England, the Uruguayan would become the latest of several Sporting players to transfer to the Premier League.
Palhinha and Matheus Nunes moved last summer, while Pedro Porro joined Tottenham Hotspur in January.
Unai Emery’s side have been in encouraging form of late. Since the Spaniard’s appointment in November, only Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool have accumulated more points.
This has taken them up to eighth place in the league table. They face Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion in their final two matches as they make their bid for European football next season.
Several first-team players could be offloaded by Villa this summer including Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne, Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore.
