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Leeds United joined by four other Premier League clubs in monitoring Europa League quarter finalist

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Leeds United could face plenty of competition if they are to sign Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

That’s according to a report from Portuguese outlet O Jogo, who say that the Whites were one of five Premier League teams to watch the Uruguayan in his side’s recent Europa League win over Arsenal.

Could Leeds sign Ugarte?

Having joined Sporting from their fellow Portuguese top-flight side Famalicao in the summer of 2021, Ugarte has gone on to make 75 appearances for his current club, scoring once.

Now it seems as though the 21-year-old, who has eight senior international caps for Uruguay, is starting to attract attention from elsewhere ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to this latest update, Leeds had scouts watching Ugarte during Sporting’s win over Arsenal earlier this month on penalties, that secured their place in the Quarter Finals of the Europa League.

The midfielder was however sent off in that match, for two bookable offences, while the Elland Road club were not the only ones monitoring his progress.

It is thought that Aston Villa, Wolves, Tottenham and Newcastle all also watched Ugarte in that clash, although it seems he may not come cheap for any of those sides.

There is apparently a £53million release clause in his contract with Sporting, which is due to run until the end of the 2025/26 season.

This does feel like an interesting one to consider for Leeds.

With Weston McKennie only on loan until the end of the season as things stand, it remains to be seen if he will be back at Elland Road for the 2023/24 campaign.

If he isn’t, Leeds will have to find some midfield depth from elsewhere, and Ugarte is a player with the experience and potential at the top level, to fill that void.

However, his contract situation and that interest from other clubs means you imagine he would not come cheap, so this does look like a deal that could be difficult to pull off for Leeds, even if they want to do so.

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UCLan Sports Journalism graduate. Have been working for Leeds All Over since summer 2020, and can only be found writing on Football League World.