The agent of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte has claimed that the Uruguayan is "sure" to leave the Portuguese giants this summer amid links with numerous Premier League teams.
The 22-year-old has earned plaudits for his performances in a defensive midfield role this term, setting up one goal from 45 appearances across all tournaments.
Ugarte has featured from the first whistle in 26 Primeira Liga matches for Ruben Amorim's side, who also reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League before being dumped out by Juventus.
Ugarte remains contracted to the Portuguese giants for another three years, but the 2001-born lynchpin is understood to possess a €60m (£52.3m) release clause in his deal, which would be affordable for members of the Premier League's Big Six.
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in particular are believed to be keeping a close eye on developments, while Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the midfielder, who was called up to the Uruguay squad for the 2022 World Cup.
© Reuters
Interested parties have now been handed a significant boost in their efforts to sign Ugarte, as his agent Jorge Chijane recently told O Jogo that the South American is "almost certain" to depart Sporting in the coming months.
The player's representative believes that he and Jorge Mendes, who will also work on facilitating a transfer, could have nailed down Ugarte's next location within the next 15 days, but he stressed that Liverpool are not alone in their pursuit.
"It's almost certain that he won't stay, it's sure he'll leave," Chijane told the Portuguese outlet. "I'll be in Lisbon soon. I trust Jorge Mendes, who is the best businessman in the world.
"In fact, when I told him about Ugarte for the first time, he said to me: 'Your eyes are my eyes'. Liverpool? There is a lot of talk, but it is not the only one club, there are others.
"There is much talk, but I am still not sure about the club. There are many hypotheses on the table. I believe that in 15 days the situation will be resolved."
© Reuters
Ugarte came through the academy ranks at Uruguayan outfit Fenix and departed for Famalicao in January 2021, where he spent just half a season before being poached by Sporting for €10.5m (£9.2m).
The 22-year-old has scored one goal and set up three more in 83 appearances for the Portuguese giants in that time, winning the Taca da Liga last season, although he did not play a single minute at the 2022 World Cup.
Ugarte has also shown a propensity for bookings this season, picking up 15 yellow cards in total and also being sent off against Arsenal in their Europa League last-16 second leg triumph.
Liverpool have seemingly earmarked Ugarte as a cheaper alternative to Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, having dropped their interest in the £130m-rated 19-year-old, who is now poised to join Real Madrid.
All of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner should depart Anfield when their contracts expire this summer, while Juventus loanee Arthur has confirmed that he will head back to Turin as well.
Ben Knapton
