Not really known in France before arriving at PSG, Manuel Ugarte is a 22-year-old Uruguayan midfielder who, of course, has made a name for himself in Portugal in recent years in the ranks of Famalicao, then Sporting. Yet Paris did not hesitate to put 60 million euros on his person this summer. Neither more nor less than the amount of the release clause of the protege of Jorge Mendes.

Like Marco Asensio, another summer recruit of the capital club, Manuel Ugarte evolves in the bosom of the very influential Portuguese agent. A Jorge Mendes who has no less than seven PSG players among his flock (Keylor Navas, Danilo Pereira, Vitinha, Renato Sanches and Warren Zaire-Emery completing the contingent), and who works tirelessly to further extend his influence among the Reds and blues.

“Ugarte is worth €20m, not much more”

After having tried in vain to impose José Mourinho on the bench and a Joao Felix in difficulty at Atlético after a disastrous loan at Chelsea, Jorge Mendes is playing on his relationships to favor the arrival of Bernardo Silva in Paris. A par still far from being won and which will not be without substantial investment on the part of PSG. Judge and jury, the Lusitanian advisor certainly works hand in hand with the clubs, but always in his own interest and that of his foals.

Although he has a privileged relationship with Nasser Al-Khelaïfi according to L’Equipe, the person concerned does not deviate from his rules for the reigning French champions.  » For Manuel Ugarte, it’s crazy that Paris paid 60 M€, the price of the clauseblows to the sports daily another agent, on condition of anonymity. Ugarte up to €20m, not much more. Above all, it is rare for clubs to pay the amount of the clauses in the deals with their Portuguese counterparts. There are always, or almost, negotiations… »

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Already last year, Paris paid Vitinha a high price – 40 million euros – precisely the amount of his release clause with the Porto Dragons. In the ranks to poach players like Bernardo Silva and Bradley Barcola during the offseason, two jewels of Gestifute, the consulting company of Jorge Mendes, PSG knows what to expect. No negotiation of the price set by Manchester City and OL will be possible.