Liverpool are heading into the summer transfer market in need of some minor surgery to the squad.
Having had a good, if ultimately disappointing season, the Reds don’t need to rip up the playbook under Arne Slot. But there is a clear need for some key upgrades.
With the season yet to finish, there are already reports that Liverpool are planning to use the summer to bolster their defence. It has also been claimed that Slot will be looking to bring in a new wide forward once he takes over.
However, while we’re pleased to hear that Liverpool will be targeting those two positions, they must also look to improve on what they have in defensive midfield.
Wataru Endo has had a fine year all-told, but he has shown his limitations recently. And with claims that the Japan captain may be sold after just a year at Anfield, we think we know who his replacement should be; former target Manuel Ugarte.
What’s going on with Manuel Ugarte
Following Fabinho’s exit, bringing in a defensive midfielder was obviously one of Liverpool’s biggest remits last summer.
In the end, it’s fair to say that the surprising signing of Endo has been a success in that regard.
Nevertheless, at 31 and clearly not quite an ‘elite’ option, Liverpool’s No.3 was never going to be the long-term successor to Fabinho.
Prior to his signing, the Reds had been linked to a number of players who reasonably could have been. One of those was Manuel Ugarte, then of Sporting and now of PSG. Ugarte was even claimed to be deep in conversation with Liverpool over joining. In the end, he moved to PSG for around £51m.
Ugarte’s time in Paris has been a little tricky though, and we think we’ve seen a chink of light that should encourage Liverpool to have another go at him. Taking to X last night, journalist Fabrizio Romano dismissed reports that the Uruguayan could be put up for sale on-loan.
“Paris Saint-Germain have very clear stance about Manuel Ugarte: no chance for loan move in the summer,” Romano reports. “Despite reports, Ugarte won’t leave PSG on loan with the current plan decided internally.”
Liverpool should make Ugarte push
PSG may have decided not to send Ugarte out on loan, but perhaps they could be tempted by a permanent sale.
Of course, this all begs the question of why Liverpool should be trying to sign a player who PSG aren’t convinced over. But the Reds clearly liked something about Ugarte and as they showed with Ryan Gravenberch last year, they aren’t afraid to give a player a second chance.
From our point of view, the 23-year-old still has enough potential to warrant another look from Liverpool.
Who knows, perhaps he could even help to get more out of his countryman Darwin Nunez, and vice-versa.
If PSG aren’t so sure, then maybe Liverpool could even swoop in on a cut-price deal here. Offer the French giants enough to get them to the table and then see what we can hammer out. It’s worth a look.