Manchester United are on the verge of securing the signature of Lecce’s highly-rated young defender, Patrick Dorgu.
After weeks of negotiations, the clubs have reportedly agreed on a fee, with the transfer package potentially reaching £30 million including add-ons.
The 20-year-old Danish international is scheduled to undergo a medical at Old Trafford imminently, paving the way for his arrival in Manchester.
This move comes as manager Ruben Amorim seeks to bolster his wing-back options and solidify his preferred 3-4-3 formation. Dorgu’s versatility and impressive performances in Serie A have made him a prime target for the Red Devils.
United’s pursuit of Dorgu has been a drawn-out affair.
Initial bids were rejected by Lecce, who were reluctant to lose their star player mid-season, especially with the club battling near the relegation zone.
Lecce president Damiani emphasized the club’s need to maintain its squad strength to ensure their Serie A survival.
However, United’s persistence and improved offer appear to have swayed the Italian club.
Dorgu has been a consistent presence in Lecce’s starting lineup this season, featuring in 21 of their 22 Serie A matches.
His contributions have been significant, even as the team struggled, highlighted by their recent 4-0 defeat to Inter Milan.
The young defender’s imposing 6ft 2in frame and experience playing both as a defender and winger make him a valuable asset for Amorim’s system.
His four caps for Denmark further underscore his potential.
United’s interest in Dorgu arose after pursuing other targets proved challenging. Nuno Mendes of Paris Saint-Germain was considered, but the financial implications of such a transfer proved too steep.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez was also on the radar, but securing his services would have required a significant outlay.
Dorgu’s journey to the top began at Husum Boldklub, a Copenhagen-based youth club. He later honed his skills at Nordsjaelland’s youth academy before joining Lecce in 2022.
He quickly progressed through the ranks, making his senior debut in the Coppa Italia in August 2023.
His consistent performances this season have solidified his place as a key player for Lecce and attracted the attention of top clubs across Europe. Notably, he has started all but one of Lecce’s league games this season, with the single missed match due to a red card.
Amorim’s ability to reshape the United squad has been somewhat constrained by the club’s financial fair play considerations.
The loan departure of big-money signing Antony to Real Betis has freed up some space on the wage bill, but further adjustments may be necessary.
