Barcelona have come across a new candidate in Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte in their quest to find a replacement for Sergio Busquets.
Busquets’ contract at Camp Nou expires in the summer, and no decision has been taken over his future. While a set of reports claims that he would likely bid farewell at the end of the season, there are few other rumours claiming that he could be handed a new contract.
Nevertheless, the Blaugrana skipper is in the latter years of his career, and Barca are exploring every avenue to find an heir to his throne.
According to a new report from Diario Sport, Barca have been offered the chance to sign Ugarte by his agent Jorge Mendes, who shares a good relationship with the club’s president Joan Laporta.
Ugarte has been viewed as an alternative to Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, who is Xavi’s primary target but also an expensive one.
The Uruguayan midfielder has made huge strides with Sporting CP in a quick span of time, being instrumental in his side winning the Taca da Liga last season.
Having made it to Uruguay’s World Cup squad in Qatar last year, Ugarte has also courted interest from Premier League giants like Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
The 21-year-old is one of the best holding midfielders in Europe at the moment, with his combativeness and work rate only matched by a few.
In what comes as good news for Barca, Ugarte has rejected a contract proposal from Sporting, meaning he wants to pursue a new challenge.
Barca have lacked a physical midfielder in their locker in recent years. Franck Kessie was brought in last summer to tackle that issue, but he has been a disappointment this season, failing to nail down a regular place under Xavi.
Ugarte is a blend of both physicality and intelligence. His excellent dribbling and passing skills make him a top-class press-resistant midfielder and on a whole, a perfect successor to Busquets.
The Uruguayan’s contract with Sporting expires in the summer of 2026. His signing requires a sizeable fee, but Blaugrana may look to negotiate with the help of Mendes.
