Manchester United and Bayern Munich have got to know each other pretty intimately in the transfer market in recent times.
When Christian Eriksen was flattered by Andy Carroll in January 2023, in came Marcel Sabitzer as the Dane’s replacement. Bayern were heavily linked with Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund before both arrived at Manchester United last summer.
Harry Kane was wanted by Erik ten Hag but ended up in Bavaria instead. Ten Hag himself was mentioned in conjunction with Bayern before Ineos opted to keep the faith, a potential job swap with Thomas Tuchel briefly on the cards.
And that’s before you mention Scott McTominay – reportedly a target for the Champions League semi-finalist – and United’s admiration for Benjamin Pavard before he left Germany for Inter Milan.
The discussions to bring Matthijs de Ligt from the Allianz Arena to Old Trafford, meanwhile, see Man United and Bayern once again involved in another summer saga, per Fabrizio Romano.
Fortunately, yet another one should now be avoided, with the prospect of a battle between United and Bayern for the signature of Manuel Ugarte much less likely today than it was just 24 hours earlier.
Bayern Munich’s Palhinha deal is good for Manchester United
According to French reporter Abdellah Boulma, the German giants had joined Ten Hag’s side in showing a ‘strong interest’ in the Paris Saint-Germain enforcer when it became apparent that Ugarte would be available for transfer.
The news coming out of Bayern on Wednesday lunchtime, then, should be music to United’s ears. One sizeable obstacle has been removed from the Red Devils’ path with their pursuit of Ugarte – like the one that could bring in De Ligt – potentially becoming far simpler than initially expected.
The Guardian writes that Bayern Munich have agreed a £47.4 million deal to sign Joao Palhinha from Fulham. The Portuguese battle-axe will sign a four year deal and undergo a medical at Sabener Strasse after the European Championships.
Now, the report makes no mention of Ugarte. But the implication is clear.
With Palhinha finally on his way to join Bayern Munich’sall-star cast, it is unlikely in the extreme that they would be willing to splash out another considerable sum on another defensive-minded midfielder who performs many of the same roles in many of the same positions.
There is also the possibility that Bayern may have just invested the money they plan to recoup from Matthijs De Ligt. The fees for Palhinha and De Ligt are likely to be pretty similar.
Bayern are looking for around £42 million for Dutch international. This would offset the Palhinha spend.
Manuel Ugarte set to leave Paris Saint-Germain
The Mirror (30th June, page 79) reports that PSG boss Luis Enrique is ready to sanction the sale of Ugarte, just one year after the all-action enforcer arrived in a £51 million deal from Sporting Lisbon.
Ugarte might not have proven a particularly good fit at PSG but that does not mean he cannot thrive at Old Trafford.
As iNews explain, Man United view 24-year-old Ugarte as the potentially ideal replacement for Casemiro.
And while he might not be the most expansive of footballers, there is something to be said for a ball-winning number six who prefers to keep things simple and let Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and co do the more creative side of the game.
Similar to De Ligt, increasingly likely to join United for a bargain £42 million, Ugarte is open to kick-stating his career in England’s north west, per Fabrizio Romano on X.
