Diego Leon to Manchester United ‘really, really advanced’ as Paraguayan reporter shares transfer fee, Arsenal miss out

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Manchester United have just said goodbye to Dan Ashworth but are already on the verge of agreeing a first 2025 signing.

The last few days have been a whirlwind at Manchester United.

Saturday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest was the first home loss of the Ruben Amorim era and a major wake-up call after a promising start.

Sunday brought a remarkably development as Dan Ashworth has left United just months after becoming the club’s sporting director.

We’re now on Thursday and United have been preparing to take on Plzen in the Europa League.

Amorim is focused on preparing his team but United also appear to be on the verge of finalising a new signing.

• READ MORE: Manchester City transfer target admits it’s a ‘dream come true’ to play against Manchester United

Manchester United set to sign wonderkid defender

Reports late on Tuesday night suggested that United were closing in on signing Diego Leon from Cerro Porteno.

The 17-year-old defender remained coy on a potential move but United appear to be finalising a deal.

Paraguayan reporter Roberto Rojas now claims that Leon will sign for United in a deal worth around $6million (£4.7million).

Leon is only 17, so he can’t actually arrive at Old Trafford until he turns 18.

The plan now is for Leon to join up with United in the summer, meaning he will remain with Cerro Porteno for six more months.

Jason Wilcox is heading up United’s recruitment with Ashworth gone and he is seemingly wasting no time in moving for Leon.

Fabrizio Romano on Diego Leon to Manchester United

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has discussed the deal on YouTube and highlighted the role of Wilcox.

Romano claims that Wilcox is leading the negotiations and Leon’s move to Old Trafford is now ‘really, really advanced’.

Romano adds that United are just discussing add-ons with Cerro Porteno and then the deal will be done and dusted.

“My understanding is that Jason Wilcox is taking care of this negotiation and the deal is really, really advanced,” said Romano. “It’s almost there, it’s just about the bonuses and then the ‘here we go’ is expected soon for Diego Leon to join Manchester United from his Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno,” he added.

Manchester City and Arsenal to miss out

United will be excited about Leon and will hope that he can become the left wing back of the future.

Luke Shaw’s extensive injury history means that United need to think about the future of the left wing back role under Amorim.

United have eyed Julio Soler, another South American left back prospect, but appear to have gone for Leon.

The deal is imminent and that means United will be seeing off competition from two Premier League rivals.

The Daily Mail claims that United have ramped up the move for Leon as both Arsenal and Manchester City are interested in Leon too.

Wilcox and United have put the deal in place this week and teenager Leon – who has bagged two goals in 19 senior games for Cerro Porteno – looks set to be the first signing of the Amorim era.