Liverpool and Leeds United set to battle it out for Uruguyan wonderkid Manuel Ugarte

<p>Liverpool and Leeds are reportedly readying to battle it out this summer for Sporting CP wonderkid Manuel Ugarte.&nbsp;</p>

This comes after each of the sides are looking to bolster their midfield in the upcoming transfer window.

<p>Liverpool's reported interest stems from a report published by O Jogo who claim that the Reds have already initiated&nbsp;contact&nbsp;with the player.</p>

It is no surprise to anyone that Jurgen Klopp is looking to revamp his midfield in the upcoming transfer window.

<p>The 2022/23 season has been one to forget for Liverpool as they have found themselves outside of the top four for the majority of the campaign.</p>

<p>Since&nbsp;splashing big in the 2019 summer transfer window, their midfield has been left untouched&nbsp;aside from the odd signing.</p>

This has resulted in players being overplayed and injured more frequently.

<p>There is no doubt that this is one of the many reasons for Liverpool's major downfall from last season.</p>

<p>The paper also go on to say that Klopp is looking to add a 'combative midfielder' to his squad.</p>

This would allow Liverpool's more creative players to have a bit more freedom on the pitch.

Liverpool's status in Europe as one of the most historic sides is a major draw for any player.

This status can be used as leverage over many of the other interested clubs across the world.

<p>Nevertheless, <em><a href="https://www.record.pt/" rel="nofollow">Record</a> </em>claim that Leeds are also among the front runners to sign the midfielder.</p>

Ugarte has been in stellar form for Sporting CP this season and has established himself as one of Ruben Amorim's key players.

<p><em>Record</em>&nbsp;also claim that the Whites know the 22-year-old 'has a market' despite being protected by a &pound;53.5million release clause.</p>

However, a move to Yorkshire would evidently not be on the cards if Javi Gracia's men suffer relegation this season.

Ugarte would add an extra layer of depth within the squad and allow Leeds to vary the way they line up.

Weston McKennie was signed on January deadline day but his impact hasn't been as prominent as some would have hoped.

<p>Leeds currently sit in 16th, just one point outside of the drop zone.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A win against fellow relegation rivals, Bournemouth, on the 30th April could go a long way in the club's ambition of retaining their Premier League status for the 2023/24 season.</p>

<p>The article <a href="https://www.planetsport.com/soccer/news/liverpool-leeds-battle-uruguyan-wonderkid-manuel-ugarte">Liverpool and Leeds United set to battle it out for Uruguyan wonderkid Manuel Ugarte </a> appeared first on Planetsport.com.</p>