Liverpool pushing to sign Sporting CP midfielder as player's agent confirms exit wishes

Manuel Ugarte has had an excellent season for Sporting CP and his performances have attracted interest from some of the Premier League's top clubs.

According to 90min, Liverpool have emerged as favourites to sign the young midfielder and are willing to begin talks with Sporting in the coming weeks.

Ugarte has a release clause of £50m, a figure much higher than what the Anfield club would be willing to part ways with at the moment.

Nevertheless, Ugarte's agent, Jorge Chijane, has told Portuguese outlet O Jogo that the 22-year-old will leave Sporting this summer and that he believes a resolution will be found over the next couple of weeks.

"It is almost certain that he will leave," Chijane said. "I'll be in Lisbon soon. I trust Jorge Mendes, who is the best businessman in the world. In fact, when I told him about Ugarte for the first time, he said: 'Your eyes are my eyes'. 

 "There's a lot of talk, but I'm still not sure about the club [Ugarte will join]. There are many hypotheses on the table. I believe that in 15 days the situation will be resolved."

Aston Villa, Tottenham and Liverpool are all believed to be monitoring the midfield sensation.