In a recent print edition, Record mentioned that Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing a move for Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte. It has been revealed that Spurs have set their sights on the Uruguay international.
Ugarte’s Impressive Run Of Form In Portuguese Football
Ugarte is having an impressive campaign in both club and international football as he has managed to put in some eye-catching displays at the centre of the park. The 21-year-old has made a total of 23 appearances for both Sporting and the Uruguayan national team this season but is still waiting to score or assist a goal across all competitions.
The Montevideo-born talent has proven his worth as a reliable performer in midfield by averaging 3.0 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, 0.7 clearances, 0.7 shots and 1.1 dribbles per game in Liga Portugal. He has even been excellent when distributing possession from midfield after making 91.7% of his attempted passes in the top tier of Portuguese football (stats via whoscored).
Ugarte is under contract at the Estádio José Alvalade until the summer of 2026. Hence, it won’t be easy for Spurs to land him on the cheap this January or at the end of this season.
Is Ugarte The Right Fit For Tottenham Hotspur?
Ugarte is a solid tackler of the ball and can sense the danger well to make a few timely interceptions for his side in the middle of the park. He doesn’t mind putting his foot through the ball when needed and can make a few driving runs with the ball from midfield.
The six-time Uruguay international can even strike the ball well from long range. However, he is yet to prove his worth at the highest level and might need some time to settle into life in England if Spurs manage to bring him on board in 2023.
At 21, the future is quite promising for Ugarte as long as he continues to improve his all-around game with each season. Thus, he will be a good fit for Tottenham in the long run which is why Antonio Conte should focus on bringing him to the North London club this winter or at the end of this campaign.
However, only time will tell whether Ugarte can cope with the physical side and high intensity of playing regularly in the Premier League. Still, the pros outweigh the cons of recruiting the South American sensation as he has got the potential to become a future star in European football.
