West Ham is on the verge of finalizing a €23m transfer for PSG’s Carlos Soler, while Manchester United is making significant progress towards securing Manuel Ugarte after recent talks with PSG. Meanwhile, PSG coach Luis Enrique has downplayed the chances of further new signings for the club.
West Ham close to finalizing €23m deal for PSG’s Carlos Soler
West Ham United and PSG are close to a €23m deal for midfielder Carlos Soler, according to a report from Le Parisien. Although the 27-year-old has not yet finalized personal terms, he might sign a four-year contract with West Ham. Former Spain manager Julen Lopetegui is said to be playing a key role in the move.
Given that Soler was acquired from Valencia CF for €22m in 2022, PSG would recover their investment as West Ham’s total payment, including performance-related bonuses, could reach €23m. Additionally, PSG is nearly finalizing Manuel Ugarte’s €60m transfer to Manchester United.
Manchester United is moving closer to signing Manuel Ugarte following discussions with PSG
After successful negotiations with the French club, Manchester United is nearing an agreement to acquire Manuel Ugarte from PSG.
Ugarte has been Manchester United’s primary midfield target all summer, and the 23-year-old has been eager to join Old Trafford. However, during earlier negotiations, the two clubs were initially far apart in their valuations.
Ugarte was omitted from PSG’s squad for their Ligue 1 opener last weekend, and additional discussions between the clubs have taken place this week. A deal now seems imminent, likely involving a season-long loan with an obligation to buy.
United has stood firm on their valuation of the Uruguayan international, and it was anticipated that PSG would be open to negotiation. PSG needs to offload players following a costly summer, including the €60m acquisition of 19-year-old midfielder Joao Neves from Benfica.
United was optimistic about securing Ugarte a week ago and, during discussions for other midfield targets, expressed confidence in completing the deal. A loan move for Ugarte wouldn’t require the sale of Scott McTominay. However, the club is still open to Casemiro and Christian Eriksen’s offers.
Ugarte would be the fifth summer addition, following Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui. United has already spent £156m on new signings this window, with a net expenditure exceeding £80m.
PSG coach Luis Enrique downplays the likelihood of additional new signings
PSG have spent approximately 175 million euros ($195m) on four players this summer, excluding bonuses, but have yet to sign a new striker to replace Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe, the club’s all-time leading scorer, left for Real Madrid when his contract ended. The French champions suffered another setback when Portuguese forward Goncalo Ramos was injured early in last week’s 4-1 victory over Le Havre in Ligue 1.
Ramos sustained an ankle injury just 15 minutes into the season’s opening match and is expected to be sidelined for three months following surgery.
“Unfortunately, Goncalo picked up an injury. It is a blow, but we still have a very good team, and I have full confidence in the players in my squad,” Luis Enrique told reporters before PSG’s first home game of the season against Montpellier on Friday.
“The president (Nasser al-Khelaifi), (sporting director) Luis Campos, and I are always open to improving the squad, but it is very, very difficult to strengthen the team that we have.”
Last weekend, PSG finalized the acquisition of 19-year-old Rennes winger Désiré Doué for a reported 50 million euros.
The player’s signing, who contributed to France’s silver medal win at the Paris Olympics, came after the acquisition of 19-year-old Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves from Benfica. Neves’ transfer could eventually total 69.9 million euros.
Last season’s Champions League semi-finalists added Ecuadorian defender Willian Pacho from Eintracht Frankfurt and Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov from Krasnodar to their roster.
Rumors about a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen have diminished as the August 30 transfer deadline draws near.
With Ramos injured, Randal Kolo Muani is likely to lead the attack. However, Luis Enrique might consider deploying Marco Asensio in a less conventional center-forward role.
“We are looking around to see if players are available at normal prices, but I am delighted with the team we have,” the coach added.
“I think the president and Luis Campos have already done really well in the transfer window.”
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