'He cannot handle it': £25m striker told not to join Arsenal or Man City despite 16 goals in 18 games

The stunning form of one of Europe’s hottest strikers may just have opened the door to Premier League giants Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, to name but four.

But the consensus, over in Russia, is that such a move would come at the wrong time in his career.

Manfred Ugalde may one day be a Premier League centre-forward capable of lacing the boots of his idol Sergio Aguero. But not yet, perhaps.

Ugalde does have 16 goals in 18 games for Spartak Moscow. But, lest we forget, a striker with a £25 million release clause in his contract was in and out of the FC Twente XI in the Eredivisie only a few months ago.

So while TBR can confirm that Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are watching Manfred Ugalde – along with Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and more – the 22-year-old Costa Rica international still has much to prove.

Manfred Ugalde not ready for Arsenal or Manchester City

“For me, Ugalde has not yet grown up to [the level of] Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea,” Igor Kolyanov, the former coach of Russia’s Under 21 side, tells Championat. “He should finish the season at Spartak, and then we will see.

“In the long run, he may suit these clubs. But, now, he simply cannot handle it. If he suddenly moves there, he simply will not play. England is a very difficult championship.”

“Ugalde is a strong and skilled player, but I don’t think the English league suits him,” agrees Nikolay Naumov, previously the president at Spartak’s local rivals Lokomotiv Moscow [Championat].

“He is not a very strong striker physically. The Spanish and Italian championships would suit Ugalde better.”

At 5ft 8ins, he is certainly not the tallest of strikers. Yet, a lack of height did not hold Sergio Aguero back. Ugalde has been likened to the Manchester City legend.

He also has a history with the City Football Group, having joined their Belgian-based Lommel outfit back in 2022 when leaving Deportivo Saprissa in his homeland.

Paulo Barbosa, an agent who has watched Ugalde closely, feels that a move to Pep Guardiola’s stalling champions is unlikely for the time being even if Manchester City are yet to replace Julian Alvarez following his £81 million switch to Atletico Madrid.

Erling Haaland remains Man City’s only natural centre-forward.

“I have doubts about Manchester City,” Barbosa tells Sport Day by Day. “They have a lot of options.”

Arsenal want a striker as PSG oust Randal Kolo Muani

Speaking of options, TBR can confirm that Arsenal are watching Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres as well as Juventus hitman Dusan Vlahovic and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig. Arsenal are following Alexander Isak’s situation at Newcastle United very closely too.

Randal Kolo Muani of PSG is on Mikel Arteta’s list also.

The France international only joined Paris Saint-Germain in a £77 million deal from Eintracht Frankfurt a year and a half ago. He has fallen out of favour under Luis Enrique, however, and looks destined to depart the Parc des Princes in the New Year.

Kolo Muani was left out of the PSG squad for their victories over Lyon and Monaco this week. And, while Enrique is keeping the door open for the misfiring striker to win back his place, the current picture looks a little bleak.

“I could speak about [omitting Kolo Muani], but I won’t because my decisions say it all,” Enrique told reporters. “Even if, as I have said, all of my decisions can be changed.”