Manchester United Open Negotiations to Sign Patrick Dorgu from Lecce

22 Jan 2025 ScoreWaves Staff view

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Currently, Manchester United are in a tailspin. With the team stuck in 13th place in the Premier League, performances and form remain far below expectations. The need for reinforcements is glaring, yet the January transfer window has so far brought no new faces to Old Trafford. However, that could soon change, as the Red Devils have reportedly opened talks with Serie A side Lecce to secure the services of 20-year-old left-back Patrick Dorgu.

Manchester United are in dire need of reinforcement. However, with less than a fortnight remaining in the winter transfer window, no new faces have arrived. Moreover, their problems have been further compounded by Amorim’s insistence on playing a 3-4-2-1 formation, as United don’t have the profiles of players Amorim’s system needs. Diogo Dalot, who’s naturally a right-back, has played the majority of the games at left wingback. Furthermore, Amorim has deployed either Amad Diallo – naturally a winger – or the versatile Noussair Mazraoui as the right wingback. Hence, a player who can play as a wingback in Amorim’s system is a priority. And Patrick Dorgu fits that role to a tee.

The 20-year-old wingback has excelled for Leece this season. In 20 Serie A games, Dorgu has scored 3 goals and provided one assist. That’s a pretty decent output for a wingback who turned 20 in October 2024. His potential to become a star under Amorim is exactly why United are interested in Dorgu. Therefore, according to David Ornstein, United have opened talks with Leece, but nothing is agreed as of now. Fabrizio Romano as reported on United’s interest in the young wingback via his official X (formerly Twitter) account. He wrote, “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.”

Manchester United aren’t the only club eyeing Patrick Dorgu, as Napoli have also thrown their hat in the ring. Reports from Italy suggest that the Partenopei have even submitted an official bid for the Lecce left-back. However, United fans might find some comfort—or concern, depending on their perspective—in knowing that Napoli’s top priority this winter is Alejandro Garnacho. With Khvicha Kvaratskhelia making a high-profile switch to PSG, Antonio Conte has identified Garnacho as the ideal replacement. The former Chelsea boss has reportedly even reached out to the young Argentine via a personal call to pitch his vision. Despite the efforts, Garnacho’s potential move to Napoli remains up in the air, as the winger is said to be keen on continuing his career in the Premier League.

Time is ticking, and Manchester United desperately need to act fast to salvage what’s shaping up to be an embarrassing season. If a deal for Patrick Dorgu doesn’t materialize, the club has reportedly identified Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell and PSG’s Nuno Mendes as backup options. However, prying Mendes away from Paris could be a tall order, given that he recently committed to a long-term contract with the French champions. As United’s options dwindle, the urgency to make a move becomes even more critical. The pressure is mounting on the club’s leadership to deliver reinforcements. After all, in the blunt words of Ruben Amorim, this is the "worst United team" in the club’s storied history—a sentiment that underscores just how crucial this transfer window could be for their future.

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