Barcelona, Tottenham, Newcastle offered 21-year-old midfield enforcer by Jorge Mendes

Sergio Busquets’ continuity at FC Barcelona is getting less likely with every passing moment. Although the Spanish midfielder has been at the heart of the Catalan team this season, Xavi is said to be the only one pushing for his extension.

Come June, there is a realistic chance the captain leaves the club. The subject of his departure invariably raises the topic of a replacement signing.

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo Manuel Ugarte could be a possible option for Barcelona as super-agent Jorge Mendes has offered his services to the La Liga leaders.

The 21-year-old currently plays in the NOS League for Sporting CP after making a €7 million move from Famalicao in 2021. His first season in Portugal was far from ideal, but he has exploded onto the scene in 2022/23 as a regular starter under Ruben Amorim.

The Uruguayan midfielder already has racked up 21 league starts for his club this season and has been defensively solid throughout. He averages over 13 defensive actions per ninety minutes and is said to be strong in possession with good distribution.

The player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is working hard to earn his client a big-money move to one of Europe’s top-flight teams. To that end, he has offered the Uruguayan ace to Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Ugarte’s contract with Sporting runs until the summer of 2026. The Portuguese side may be unwilling to negotiate a transfer so early into his spell at the club, however, the €60 million release clause leaves them with few options.

While Ugarte has emerged as a possible candidate to inherit the defensive midfield position, the Blaugrana cannot afford to trigger the player’s termination clause given their delicate financial situation. Thus, the focus will be on convincing the player of the sporting project and the tag of a guaranteed starter at Barcelona.