Manchester United have abandoned their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte, according to The Athletic.
The Red Devils have been negotiating with PSG for the Uruguayan, but could not agree a fee with the French champions.
PSG refused to budge on their valuation of Ugarte, which is believed to be around the €60million (£51.4m) they paid Sporting CP last summer.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a mixed debut season in Paris and was reportedly keen to make a fresh start with United.
However, United are unwilling to meet the asking price and have decided to focus their attention on alternative targets.
They want to avoid drawn-out transfer sagas and will only pay what they deem fair value for their targets.
Sporting CP star Morten Hjulmand is an option. He is adept at breaking up opposition attacks and efficiently recycling the ball.
Monaco midfield powerhouse Youssouf Fofana is another cost-effective option for the Reds.
The France international will leave Les Monegasques this summer and could find the perfect landing spot at Old Trafford.
If United are looking for a more left-field option to fill the role, they could turn to rivals Chelsea, who are bloated in midfield.
The Blues have former Rennes star Lesley Ugochukwu languishing down the pecking order, and he could prove a wise addition to United’s ranks.
Ugochukwu could grow into a world-class midfielder under manager Erik ten Hag. A loan with an option to buy could be a sensible deal for all parties.
However, United may opt to move for underwhelming options such as Sofyan Amrabat or free agent Adrien Rabiot.
