Manchester United have seen their opening bid for Lecce wingback Patrick Dorgu rejected by the Serie A side but there are “more contacts expected” between both clubs, Fabrizio Romano reveals.
The Italian transfer guru contends the Red Devils tabled an offer worth “€27 million plus add-ons” – equating to a fee in excess of £23 million.
However, Lecce are holding out for a package worth in the region of €40 million (£34 million) as there is also strong interest in Dorgu from Serie A league leaders Napoli.
Lecce officials will be acutely aware of the financial capabilities of their 20-year-old starlet’s suitors, and will likely seek to establish a bidding war between them to drive up their price.
🚨🇩🇰 Manchester United formal bid for Patrick Dorgu was worth €27m plus add-ons, not enough to convince Lecce.
Price tag around €40m package as Lecce are also aware of Napoli’s interest for the summer.
Dorgu, keen on the move as more contacts are expected between clubs. pic.twitter.com/h01joxs5cJ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 22, 2025
Tweet: “Manchester United formal bid for Patrick Dorgu was worth €27m plus add-ons, not enough to convince Lecce. Price tag around €40m package as Lecce are also aware of Napoli’s interest for the summer. Dorgu, keen on the move as more contacts are expected between clubs.”
Romano describes Dorgu as “keen on the move” to Old Trafford with head coach Ruben Amorim believed to have personally signed off on the Danish international as a target.
Dorgu’s potent pairing of pace and physicality lends itself to the Portuguese’s high-intensity pressing philosophy, while his versatility – capable of playing at left back, left wingback and right wing – is ideal in the 39-year-old’s 3-4-3 system.
Amorim has struggled to find a suitable candidate to play the LWB role since arriving at Old Trafford in November. Neither of the existing options on the left-side of defence – Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia – are capable of meeting the former Sporting manager’s demands from his wingbacks.
This has led Amorim to deploy his countryman Diogo Dalot on the 25-year-old’s unfamiliar side. And despite Dalot’s commitment and work rate, the right back has struggled on the left to provide a constant outlet down the opposition wing on his weaker foot.
A new recruit at LWB is, therefore, a priority for United officials aiming to provide Amorim with as many tools as the club’s financial situation will allow to rescue a dismal season.
If United can drive down the price for Dorgu to a fee much closer to their €27 million valuation, rather than Lecce’s €40 million price, then the 20-year-old could be set to become the third Dane in the dressing room at Old Trafford, alongside Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen.
Amorim will not care about his nationality, however, instead valuing his natural fit at left wingback and the 20-year-old’s speed and strength to be able to affect the game at both ends of the pitch.
Featured image Gabriele Maltinti via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
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.
