Portuguese giants have ‘no other option’ but to sell Newcastle United and Man United transfer target

Newcastle United and Manchester United have reportedly been handed a major boost in their bid to add to their midfield options this season after Sporting CP were left with ‘no other option’ but to sell highly-rated star Manuel Ugarte.

A report in Portuguese outlet Leonino has suggested Sporting’s failure on two fronts in European competitions will mean they have ‘no other alternative’ but to consider the sale of Ugarte during the summer transfer window. After exiting this season’s Champions League in the group stage, Ruben Amorim’s side dropped into the Europa League and claimed an eye-catching two-legged win in a round of 16 tie against current Premier League leaders Arsenal.

However, a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their quarter-final clash with Serie A giants Juventus on Thursday night was not enough to turnaround a first leg deficit and their run came to a close. To make matters worse, Sporting are looking increasingly unlikely to return to the Champions League next season as they sit outside of the Primeira Liga’s top three with just three games remaining in the season.

The report has stated Uruguayan international Ugarte is in ‘pole position’ to be sold this summer to help his club act against the financial implications of missing out on a place in European football’s elite next season. The hardworking midfielder currently has a release clause believed to be around £52m and there have been negotiations over a new deal that would have seen that figure raise to over £70m.

However, failure in Europe now means those talks are unlikely to reach a successful conclusion and Ugarte could be made available to Newcastle or their Premier League rivals as both clubs look to strengthen their midfield options this summer.