Liverpool Football Club is reportedly preparing to make its first offer for Manuel Ugarte, the 22-year-old midfielder from Sporting CP, as the Reds aim to revamp their midfield ahead of the new season. Reports indicate that Liverpool is readying a proposal to sign the midfielder, with a rumored release clause of £52.2 million. Portuguese news outlets have reported that the club will meet with Sporting representatives this week to submit an offer for Ugarte.

Liverpool scouts were in attendance at Sporting’s match with Famalicao last month, fueling rumors that the Uruguayan midfielder was a top target for the club. Ugarte has been a “profitable asset” for Sporting, and the sale could help balance the books, with Liverpool poised to capitalize. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive betting odds from NextBet.

During his time in the Primeira Liga, Ugarte has mainly played as a defensive midfielder, a position that Liverpool could reinforce after Fabinho’s recent form struggles and Stefan Bajcetic’s long-term injury. Despite earlier reports linking Liverpool with Nice’s Khephren Thuram, the Daily Mail’s Dom King suggested that the Reds are “not expected” to pursue another deep-lying midfielder.

Ugarte is just one of many rumored midfield targets for Liverpool, including Mason Mount, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Matheus Nunes. However, Ugarte is a much more defensive-minded player than most of the other midfielders on the list. Reports suggest that the club is seeking a No. 6 position signing to complement other purchases, with links to Moises Caicedo and Joao Palhinha.

Although there are currently no agreements in place for any players, multiple midfielders are expected to arrive this summer as Jurgen Klopp seeks to transition to a new generation in that area of the pitch. Ugarte has made 45 appearances in all competitions this season, and his current contract runs until the summer of 2026. Follow NextBet Sports to get all the latest updates on Liverpool.