Erik ten Hag is desperate to add a defensive midfielder this summer after Casemiro’s form fell off a cliff last season.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims United have agreed personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Ugarte, 23 – but may need to dump one of Casemiro or Scott McTominay first.
However, he added that Old Trafford chiefs remain locked in talks with PSG over the £50million-rated ace and they face competition from other clubs.
Ugarte’s agent Jorge Mendes also represents Leny Yoro, who completed a United switch today.
The teenage defender is regarded as a generational talent at the heart of defence and arrived for £52m from Lille.
After sealing a five-year contract, Yoro said: “Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour.
“Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and showed a lot of care for me and my family.
“I know about the history of young players at Manchester United and feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new team-mates. I cannot wait to get started.”
Forward Joshua Zirkzee was the first capture of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era at Old Trafford.
Ugarte has only been with PSG for one season, having made his switch from Sporting Lisbon in 2023.
He has been at the Copa America with Uruguay this summer.
Ten Hag is believed to want another centre-back but more players may have to be shipped out first.
Mason Greenwood’s transfer to Marseille was confirmed today in a short 57-word statement.
The 22-year-old touched down in France last night and has now penned a contract until 2029 in a deal that could be worth over £30m.
United also have a 50 per cent sell-on clause included in the package.
Greenwood was suspended by the club in January 2022 before being charged nine months later with attempted rape, assault, and controlling and coercive behaviour towards a woman.
He denied the claims, with all criminal charges eventually being dropped in February 2023.
Greenwood joined Spanish side Getafe on loan last season and he shone at the LaLiga outfit, winning their Player of the Year prize