Manchester United are set to finalise Diego Leon as their first signing of 2025.
Since Ruben Amorim arrived at Carrington in November, it did not take long for the Portuguese to identify the glaring weaknesses in Manchester United’s squad.
Following his first match against Ipswich, Amorim requested a new left wing-back to be signed in 2025.
Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw are both natural fits for the position, but both have struggled with injury issues and the latter looks as though he may end up playing as a centre-back in Amorim’s system.
As United continue to struggle with Profit and Sustainability Rules, the recruitment team have unearthed a South American gem with a deal struck for 17-year-old Diego Leon last month.
Diego Leon fee revealed ahead of Man United move
While United agreed a deal to sign Diego Leon in December, the Red Devils had to wait until the January window was open to finalise the move.
Leon was expected at Carrington this week to sign off on the deal, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that his medical is imminent.
Romano also confirmed the final fee set to be paid by United to Cerro Porteno for Leon, with the total package worth $8.5m (£7m).
That is broken down into a flat fee of $4m (£3.2m), “easy add-ons” worth $1m (£800,000) and “difficult” add-ons worth another $3.5m (£2.9m).
What Man United plan to do with Diego Leon
At just 17 years old, Leon has been signed as a future star for the first team and will not be expected to immediately become a regular in Amorim’s lineup.
Romano has confirmed that Leon is set to fly back to Paraguay on Tuesday after his move to United is confirmed and officially announced.
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He could be loaned back to South America before joining up with United’s first-team squad in the summer.
Leon has been compared to Marcelo due to his playstyle, and with United desperately needing a left wing-back, Amorim will surely be keeping a close eye on his progress.
Leon has already celebrated his United move after a deal was agreed in December, he should be unveiled by the club imminently.
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