Manchester United are gearing up for a frantic end to the January transfer window and the issue of Patrick Dorgu is expected to dominate the discourse.
Man Utd opened talks to sign Patrick Dorgu recently but due to their financial situation, any deal was never going to be straightforward.
Lecce have already rejected one bid from United for Patrick Dorgu but their director gave encouragement to the club about a potential deal.
The involvement of Napoli in the Dorgu sweepstakes further complicated matters but Fabrizio Romano has now reported United’s next step in their effort to complete Patrick Dorgu’s transfer.
Patrick Dorgu transfer latest
Dorgu is the clear and obvious attainable player for Ruben Amorim in the January window, the need for whom has increased further after Antony’s prospective departure.
Add to that Tyrell Malacia’s uncertain future at United and Dorgu immediately becomes a must-have signing, a stance that is reflected in Lecce’s price tag for the player.
United’s opening bid worth €27 million was shot down by Lecce almost instantly and they are now faced with the prospect of going higher or looking elsewhere.
As a third option, they can abandon their pursuit and let Amorim ride with the current Man Utd squad this season since the domestic campaign is a write-off as it is.
Romano reports that United have chosen to go ahead with the first option, but with a compromise.
The club is expected to proceed with a higher bid than their opening proposal, but one that still won’t come close to satisfying Lecce’s €40 million demand.
Man Utd in a difficult position
United have cornered themselves in the market by sanctioning departures before arrivals and then pleading poverty in the market.
Dorgu has become a necessity after Antony’s departure and the Marcus Rashford+Casemiro situation being in limbo due to their high wages.
Lecce are fully aware of United’s predicament and smell a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fleece the club for an asset that is as good as they’ll ever have.
United are faced with a dilemma where they need to back Amorim but at the same time, have to start working towards tackling the “United tax” phenomenon gifted to them by the Glazers and their executives.
Ultimately, it feels like the Dorgu transfer will happen but at the cost of some difficult decisions, a la Alejandro Garnacho’s sale.
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