Leeds United and Aston Villa eye Newcastle United target as midfielder confirms future decision

Newcastle United are believed to be keen to add at least one midfielder to their ranks this summer.

The likes of Manchester United star Scott McTominay and Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram have both been heavily linked with a move to Tyneside - but it is the future of another reported Magpies target that has hit the headlines. Sporting CP and Uruguay star Manuel Ugarte is said to be one option being monitored by United’s recruitment staff as he continues to impress in domestic and European competitions this season.

However, Portuguese outlet O Jogo have reported Newcastle are not the only Premier League club watching the 21-year-old after they suggested Aston Villa, Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur are all keen on signing the midfielder, who is believed to be rated at around £52m by the Primeira Liga club. Ugarte is not the only highly-rated Sporting player linked with a move to Tyneside after defender Goncalo Inacio was also said to have caught the eye of Magpies scouts over the last 12 months.

Midfield target confirms planned departure

Newcastle United and Leicester City target Enzo Le Fee has confirmed he is ready to leave Ligue 1 club Lorient.

The highly-rated France Under-21 international has been with the Brittany-based club since he was an eight-year-old but is now ready to ply his trade elsewhere and hopes his boyhood club can receive a sizable transfer fee for his services after telling them he will not extend his current contract that is set to come to an end in the summer of 2024.

"It's time for me to leave," he told Le Télégramme earlier this week. “I have a special bond with the club and that’s why I wanted to extend my contract at the start of the season. I waited for a contract offer from FC Lorient until December. It never came. Now I don’t expect anything from the club and I won’t extend my contract. I hope to leave this summer so that my transfer will bring money to FC Lorient.”