Transfers

‘Done Deal’ – Man Utd ‘Reach Agreement’ For January Signing As £29m Offer ‘Accepted’

Manchester United are reported to be on the verge of completing the blockbuster signing of highly-rated Danish defender Patrick Dorgu from Serie A side Lecce.

Local reports from SoloLecce claim that the Red Devils have had an offer of £29m plus a further £4m in performance related-add-ons accepted for the 20-year-old left-back in a deal which is being reported as ‘done’ with an agreement now in place. For the transfer to be completed, the player will need to undergo a medical after it was reported that personal terms have already been agreed.

Dorgu, who has scored three times and registered one assist in 21 matches, is expected to become the second signing of the Ruben Amorim era after the signing of 17-year-old Paraguayan defender Diego Leon from Primera División title hopefuls Cerro Porteno.

However, unlike Leon, who does not link up with his new teammates until the summer, Dorgu is expected to ‘immediately’ complete a move to Old Trafford and compete for a starting position in Amorim’s favoured 3-4-2-1 formation.

United boss Ruben Amorim has quickly implemented a new style of football with a heavy emphasis on attacking and energetic wing-backs that are able to contribute at both ends of the pitch.

At Sporting, for example, his team often used Geovany Quenda and Maximilliano Araujo to great effect, as well as academy graduate Nuno Mendes before his move to Paris Saint-Germain. The Red Devils currently have Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazaroui as natural right-backs in the team, but are lacking quality in the left-back area with long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia both struggling for fitness.

Amorim has made the move for Patrick Dorgu to provide balance to his team and to offer his side a further threat from wide areas to provide support to Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who have both struggled for goals and opportunities in the box this season.

Dorgu has scored three times in 21 matches this season – the joint second most of any full-back in Serie A while his 53 touches inside the box are the highest of any defender in the whole division despite playing for a team that is fighting to survive in the division.

Transfers

Marseille eyes loan move for Sevilla striker Kelechi Iheanacho

'Not Good Enough' - Sevilla To Offload Kelechi Iheanacho In January Transfer Category

Ligue 1 side Olympique Marseille is keen on signing Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho on loan for the remainder of the season.

Sevilla is open to letting Iheanacho leave this month after the forward struggled to make an impact following his free transfer last summer.

The Spanish club recently bolstered their attack by signing Jerome Akor Adams from Montpellier.

Reports from France suggest Iheanacho is leaning towards a move to Marseille despite having multiple offers on the table.

Marseille has already made contact with both Sevilla and the 28-year-old striker, who is expected to make a decision before the winter transfer window closes.

Transfers

Arsenal pursue Ollie Watkins as Villa reject £60m bid

Arsenal has set its sights on signing Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins before next week’s transfer deadline, according to the Daily Mail.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, a long-time admirer of the 29-year-old, has overseen an initial £60 million bid, which Villa has rejected. However, Arsenal is expected to return with an improved offer.

Watkins, a key player for Unai Emery’s squad, remains under contract for another three years. Despite Villa’s strong bargaining position, a move to Arsenal may tempt the England international, who once revealed his childhood dream of playing for the North London club.

“That’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day. But, you know, it’s a long shot,” Watkins said in 2020 while at Brentford.

Watkins has scored 10 goals in 31 appearances this season, including a recent strike in Villa’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Transfers

Manchester United near £30m deal for Lecce defender Patrick Dorgu

Manchester United are nearing a £30m deal to sign Patrick Dorgu from Lecce.

The two clubs have been in discussions since last week, with many aspects of the transfer already agreed upon, and talks continuing to finalize the deal’s structure.

According to Sky Sports, Dorgu is set to become Ruben Amorim’s first signing as United manager.

The 20-year-old left wing-back is eager to join, and personal terms are expected to be straightforward.

Since Amorim’s appointment, the left wing-back position has been a top priority, and this transfer has been one of the most likely to go through during the window, regardless of the club’s circumstances.

Dorgu, who has made 53 Serie A appearances for Lecce since his 2022 move from Danish club Nordsjaelland, has also earned four caps for Denmark.