Manchester United are moving uncharacteristically quickly in this year’s transfer market as they have now reportedly “agreed personal terms” with their next signing of the summer.
With co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co. at the helm, it looks as though Man United’s recruitment strategy is going to be much more swift and clinical, with the club already announcing the signing of Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee last week and French defender Leny Yoro on Thursday.
Now, though, it seems the new board of executives overseeing operations – Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Dan Ashworth – may have already secured the third player of the INEOS era, as the latest reports claim that Uruguayan international Manuel Ugarte has now agreed to join the club.
According to multiple transfer sources such as Fabrizio Romano and Florian Plettenberg, Ugarte has already agreed on personal terms and is keen on a move to Old Trafford and a suitable offer between United and Paris Saint-Germain simply needs to be ironed out.
🚨🔴 Manchester United have agreed on personal terms with Manuel Ugarte.
Contract terms discussed, player keen on moving to United even without Champions League football.
Club-to-club talks continue with PSG, as more clubs also inquired.
The 23-year-old defensive midfielder came through the Fénix youth setup back in his home country before sealing a move to the Portuguese league and ultimately impressing enough at Sporting Lisbon (where they have found transfer joy in the past) to land a deal at PSG.
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Ugarte has been on the radar of United and the likes of Chelsea over recent seasons but the fact that his agent is Jorge Mendes, the same man who represents new acquisition Yoro, could work in the Red Devils’ favour.
While talks between the Premier League club and the player himself look to have been successful, specific details of the offer are yet to be revealed and negotiations with his current employers are still ongoing. It is thought that the Ligue 1 giants could demand as much as €70 million (£59m).
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That being said, the French champions are said to be pursuing the services of Benfica’s João Neves to rejig their squad in the middle of the park, so it could be quite a simple case of one in, one out. The statisticians are already sharing a few nuggets to get Reds excited too:
98 – Manuel Ugarte made 98 tackles in just 25 Ligue 1 games in the 2023-24 season, the most of any player; it is more tackles than any Manchester United midfielder has made in any of the last 18 seasons. Solution. pic.twitter.com/fJLuI5j8k4
Meanwhile, there could be plenty more movement in Man United’s ranks also, as not only is it yet to be decided whether Sofyan Amrabat’s loan deal will be made permanent, but European veteran Casemiro’s future is also still up in the air.
There has also been interest in Scott McTominay from clubs such as Fulham, West Ham United and Spurs, and United may have to make room in their midfield to even welcome another new addition in order to keep in line with FFP and PSR.
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Elsewhere, the departure of some fringe players and now most notably Mason Greenwood, has freed up some space in the squad and although it remains unclear how much of a budget manager Erik ten Hag has to work with, it looks as though this could be the next step in the rebuild.
If United manage to wrap up a deal for Ugarte on top of the two players they’ve already signed this summer, would you be happy, Reds – or do you think they need to bring in a few more?
Manchester City finally release special Year of the Horse collection for Lunar celebrations
Danny Jones
Manchester City have officially launched their new ‘Year of the Horse’ kit, along with several other items in their latest lifestyle range.
The collection, which has been released as part of the Lunar New Year Celebrations, was leaked online in late 2025 before being officially teased earlier this year, but now Man City have fully unveiled the limited edition clothing items.
It follows the commercial success of their previous Chinese New Year-inspired kits and wider fashion lines over the last few seasons.
For anyone not up to speed on their Zodiac calendar knowledge, 2026 is officially (you guessed it) the year of the horse, hence this choice for the new ‘Capsule Collection’.
“Set in earthy, neutral tones, the limited-edition Year of the Horse Capsule Collection captures both the stillness of vintage Chinese portraiture and the motion of a team in full stride.”
Revolving around a grey and almost beige colour palette, the full drop includes a new pre-match ‘Anthem’ jacket, a dark graphic design tee, a baseball cap, as well as a soft horse plushie.
The focal point, however, is obviously the jersey itself – though it remains to be confirmed whether or not the special seasonal strip will be worn in any games this campaign as other one-off/special limited edition shirts have been in the past.
The price points range from £15 for the soft toy to £90 for the adult shirt, with the aforementioned Puma KING Anthem zip-up jacket already available in six colours.
What do you make of the latest lifestyle collection, Blues?
Somewhat fittingly, the Year of the Horse and other items finally debuted on the same day that their local rivals across the other side of town, Manchester United, released some new threads of their own: the second Adidas x The Stone Roses collection.
As for this years Lunar celebrations, the official plans for here in Manchester city centre have now been revealed. You can find out more down below.
Stockport County confirm signing of new striker Adama Sidibeh
Danny Jones
Stockport County Football Club have officially unveiled the signing of new striker, Adama Sidibeh, from St Johnstone FC.
This comes after weeks of uncertainty over whether or not the deal for the forward was going to be done, despite his medical having already been passed.
Sidibeh was linked with a move from the Scottish Premiership quite early in the January transfer window, and the transfer fee had already reportedly been agreed, but there was apparently to be some contention over personal terms.
However, it seems the impasse has now been overcome and a full agreement reached, with the Hatters finally announcing the completion of his deal on Tuesday, 27 January.
As you can see, the Gambian international is no stranger to England nor the North West, having moved back to the UK to be with his family in 2022, before going on to join local Stockport club Cheadle Heath Nomads in 2022.
Moving on to nearby Cheshire outfit Warrington Rylands FC the following season, he continued to prove himself as a quick and consistent goal threat, ultimately sealing a switch to The Saints in 2024.
Sidibeh’s transfer fee from St Johnstone to SCFC remains undisclosed.
Penning a two-and-a-half-year contract, the latest County recruit is the third signing of the January transfer window so far, following the most recent arrival of Josh Dacres-Cogley from Bolton Wanderers earlier this month.
Having been given the number 26, he is the latest offensive reinforcement at Edgeley Park as they look to enjoy a fairly ‘aggressive’ window, as promised.
Speaking on his new home in a club statement, the 27-year-old said: “I’m so excited to be [sitting] here now as a Stockport County player.
“It’s a town and a club I already know so well from my time at Nomads, which made it an easy decision for me and my family to come here once we heard that County were interested.
“I can’t wait to get going now, to start my career in the Football League and to play in front of 10,000 fans at Edgeley Park. I’ve worked very hard to get to this place in my career since moving to England, and will work even harder now I’m here to help the team as we go for promotion.”
As for his new manager, Dave Challinor made it clear they were keen to capitalise on his contract running out, adding that apart from being a bit of a late bloomer in pro football, “he’s a real hard worker that provides real intensity in his press. and really wants to threaten defenders both in and out of possession.”
“He’s scored all types of goals at every level he’s played at, but this will, without doubt, be a step up for him” – it just remains to be seen how he’ll take to the League One and wider EFL challenge.
Danny Jones -
19th July 2024 
