Manchester United are progressing with a deal for Danish wing-back Patrick Dorgu to become Ruben Amorim’s first signing at Old Trafford.
Dorgu’s club Lecce have been locked in talks with United, with the Italians wanting £33 million for the 20-year-old who has been identified as a player who would suit Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 system.
While no agreement has been made yet, a deal ahead of next Monday’s mid-season transfer deadline is understood to have moved forward and there is hope of his arrival to bolster United’s squad for the second half of the season.
Dorgu has been an important player for Lecce in the last two seasons since making his Serie A breakthrough, having arrived from the club in 2022 from Nordsjælland. As a result, the Copenhagen-born wing-back has been capped by Denmark since last summer’s European Championship.
Saverio Sticchi Damiani, the Lecce president, has insisted he wants to keep Dorgu at the club beyond the window to help the club stay in the top-flight, although talks have continued over a move to the Premier League.
Amorim’s formation relies on his wing-backs providing defensive and attacking support, with the likes of Geovany Quenda, 17, developed under his coaching at Sporting Lisbon before he moved to United in November.
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have both played in the left wing-back position in recent games but are more suited to the right flank, while Amad Diallo can also be utilised there but is a forward option. Luke Shaw is closing in on a return to full fitness but could also be used as a left-sided centre-back.
United have been closely watching their spending due to Premier League profit-and-sustainability rules, where financial losses are limited. They could balance the books with a departure, with Alejandro Garnacho wanted by Chelsea and Napoli.
