AC Milan receives offer for midfielder Manuel Ugarte, no negotiations yet

Manuel Ugarte’s agent is making the rounds in Italy. Jorge Mendes, one of football’s most influential super-agents, has offered the Uruguayan midfielder to AC Milan in what amounts to an initial inquiry ahead of the summer 2026 transfer window.

No formal negotiations have started. Milan received the approach, acknowledged it, and that’s roughly where things stand.

A £42 million signing gathering dust

Manchester United signed Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2024. The initial fee was £42 million, with add-ons potentially pushing the total to £50.5 million.

During the 2025/26 season, Ugarte has managed just seven starts across 23 appearances. His total playing time sits at 915 minutes. For context, that’s the equivalent of roughly ten full matches spread across an entire campaign.

The 23-year-old previously worked under current Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim during their time together at Sporting CP, which made his transfer to Old Trafford feel like a natural fit.

Milan isn’t the only club getting a call

Mendes isn’t putting all his eggs in one basket. Along with AC Milan, the agent has also offered Ugarte to Juventus and Napoli.

Milan’s interest isn’t entirely new. The Rossoneri previously tracked Ugarte earlier in his career, before he made his moves to PSG and then United.

Reports have surfaced suggesting the possibility of a swap deal involving Milan’s Portuguese winger Rafael Leao and Ugarte. Nothing has been finalized on that front, and it remains speculative at this stage.

What this means for potential suitors

For Milan, the key question is price. United paid up to £50.5 million for Ugarte less than two years ago. Mendes approaching three Serie A teams simultaneously signals that United are open to moving Ugarte, which weakens their bargaining position.

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