Manchester United are set to finalize the signing of 20-year-old Patrick Dorgu from Lecce, marking the first acquisition under new manager Ruben Amorim. After an initial bid was rejected, United secured a £29 million agreement, with Dorgu already in Manchester for his medical.
Amorim identified the left-back position as a priority, given Luke Shaw’s persistent injury issues, which have forced Diogo Dalot to fill in out of position.
Dorgu, a Denmark international, fits well into United’s 3-4-3 system and comes at a lower cost than alternatives like Nuno Mendes and Milos Kerkez.
However, Paul Merson voiced concerns about the signing, pointing out that Italy’s biggest clubs—Inter Milan, Juventus, and AC Milan—did not make a serious move for Dorgu. Napoli were the only Serie A giant linked, which Merson finds puzzling.
He referenced Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles at United, arguing that when top Italian clubs avoid a player, it could indicate underlying issues.
Lecce manager Marco Giampaolo confirmed Dorgu’s departure after a recent victory over Parma, stating that the defender was mentally ready for the next step.
Meanwhile, United remain active in the transfer market, with Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel emerging as a potential attacking addition. Marcus Rashford, who is seeking a new challenge, is attracting interest from Aston Villa, AC Milan, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and West Ham.