Manchester United are finalising the “last details” of a deal worth €37.5 million to sign Lecce wing-back Patrick Dorgu, according to Gianluca di Marzio.
Dorgu, 20, has emerged as a priority target for the Red Devils heading into the final week of the January transfer window after a move for Paris Saint-Germin defender Nuno Mendes proved too costly.
The Danish international, a left wing-back who has also played as a right-winger for Lecce this season, was personally approved by Ruben Amorim as a solution to the United coach’s ongoing issues in the problem position.
Neither Luke Shaw nor Tyrell Malacia – the two existing left-back options at Old Trafford – are capable of meeting the demands Amorim places upon his wing-backs.
This has led to Diogo Dalot being deployed out-of-position on the left-hand side, with the Portuguese fullback struggling in the unfamiliar role.
As such, United executives are prioritising a move for a new left wing-back this month, despite the club’s ongoing financial issues and the acute pressure of the Premier League’s profits and sustainability rules (PSR).
The Reds have seen two separate proposals for Dorgu rejected by Lecce who were believed to have set a €40 million valuation if the Dane was to leave in January.
However, there was “confidence” amongst United’s recruitment team that a compromise could be struck to reduce this price.
And it appears this optimism was justified, as Di Marzio reveals a €37.5 million agreement is set to be reached, with only €30 million of this up front.
https://tweet.com/DiMarzio/status/1884253014674047081
Tweet: “@ManUtd and @OfficialUSLecce are defining last details over payment terms for Patrick #Dorgu on a deal worth €30m + €7.5 in add-ons. @SkySport”
The Sky Sports transfer expert is corroborated by Alfredo Pedulla, another Italian journalist, who contends Lecce are set to give the “green light” to a deal for “just under €40 million.”
Dorgu will join Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven as two new signings for Amorim in defence if the Dane’s move is, as expected, finalised this week.
Heaven, 18, was reported to have agreed terms to swap the Emirates for Old Trafford in a repeat move of Chido Obi-Martin’s transfer in the summer. An inside source at the United academy suggests the ball-playing defender will slot straight into the first-team squad as “cover” for Lisandro Martinez, despite being mainly a youth player for the Gunners.
Amorim will undoubtedly be happy with two new options for the left-hand side of the pitch given the struggles he has watched his new side endure since arriving from Sporting CP in November.
Featured image Gabriele Maltinti via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
