Manchester United have reportedly agreed a deal with Cerro Porteño for 17 year old left back Diego León.
With injuries to Luke Shaw and fitness concerns over Tyrell Malacia, the left back position has become a major priority at the club.
Under Ineos, signing up-and-coming teenagers has become a key transfer strategy as Leny Yoro, Chido Obi-Martin and Sékou Koné have all been signed this year.
It was reported this morning that United were in talks to sign Paraguayan left back Diego Leon with Jason Wilcox leading the negotiations.
Fabrizio Romano later got in on the act, claiming that United were in “active talks” for the teenager with a fee of around $4 million being discussed.
Journalist Pedro Torres, who works for Paraguayan sports network Tigo Sports, posted on X that the deal has since moved significantly forward as “the groundwork for the deal has been laid and Diego León, a 17-year-old Paraguayan, will join Manchester United in England.”
The journalist has also provided an update to when the exciting youngster will likely join his soon-to-be new teammates.
“He will remain in Paraguay until June 2025, after which he will join his new team.”
🤝🏼 … ✍🏼🔜
Están sentadas las bases del acuerdo, Diego León, paraguayo de 17 años, al Manchester United de Inglaterra.
Seguirá en Paraguay hasta junio de 2025, luego se suma a su nuevo equipo.
En el 2024 jugó 21 partidos, 15 de ellos a tiempo completo, marcó 2 goles. https://t.co/5DEUqzLfA5 pic.twitter.com/IqmG9GhPN5
— Pedro Torres (@PepiTorres17) December 11, 2024
ESPN journalist Roberto Rojas backed up the story and reported that he can “confirm left-back Diego León will officially join Manchester United in June 2025, once he turns 18 for a transfer fee of around $6 million.”
BREAKING: Can confirm left-back Diego León will officially join Manchester United in June 2025, once he turns 18 for a transfer fee of around $6 million.
León will play at Cerro Porteño for 6 more months before becoming the first ever Paraguayan to play for the Red Devils. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/vACf8FL4is
— Roberto Rojas (@RobertoRojas97) December 11, 2024
The signing could be the first to take place in the Ruben Amorim era as he fits the manager’s vision of a modern fullback who has impressive physique and energy to burn.
“The Paraguayan is a physical specimen, lightning quick and extremely aggressive in duels” and he “is widely regarded as one of the best U18 South American talents.”
Leon will also make history as he will become the first Paraguayan to play for the club.
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
