Fabrizio Romano says Man Utd have ‘closed’ a deal that was ‘unexpected’ at one point

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Manchester United’s January transfer window is kicking into gear with multiple deals, in and out, developing quickly into something concrete.

Ayden Heaven is arriving from Arsenal, and Patrick Dorgu’s transfer to Man Utd is imminent with almost a week still to go in the market.

That has been joined by outgoings like Antony to Real Betis and multiple loan moves in the academy, both in and out.

• READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date

Some dominos like Marcus Rashford and Casemiro could still fall, which could accelerate United’s January activity but in the meantime, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that United closed a deal this window that was unexpected at one point.

Fabrizio Romano reports Man Utd’s ‘unexpected’ transfer

Generally, the media coverage surrounding Manchester United is so intense that everyone and their families know about a player before he is even remotely close to joining the club.

The transfer saga plays out in the foreground for everyone to see and follow every step of the way, taking the element of surprise away.

However, that has shifted a bit under Ineos, be it United’s interest in Nene Dorgeles coming out of nowhere or the pace at which Ayden Heaven to United moved.

Heaven is still a player on an expiring contract and the Dorgeles interest hasn’t materialised into something concrete but the same can’t be said for Patrick Dorgu, who is on his way to Old Trafford.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano reported that the deal for Dorgu was ‘unexpected’ at one point, with United’s interest in the player developing quickly.

He said: “Patrick Dorgu will be a Manchester United player. A story I told you that I’m really proud of because no one was basically linking Patrick Dorgu to Manchester United.

“He was on their list, they had been scouting him. Nuno Mendes and Milos Kerkez were on the list but they were very expensive so they added the name of Dorgu to the list at the start of the window.

“At one point it was unexpected but Man Utd closed this deal. It was not an easy negotiation but United have done it. An important addition for present and the future.”

Ineos transfer market pivot is clear

Ineos’ youth revolution is already a departure from what the Glazers used to do (or didn’t!) at Manchester United regarding addition to youth teams.

However, the pivot in how the transfers for the senior team are handled is also becoming increasingly clear, with a philosophy running through the team.

It is safe to assume that moves like that of Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, or to go back even further, Radamel Falcao will no longer be made.

United are now determined to zero in on young players and get the first-mover’s advantage instead of getting into pointless races for already-established players with no resale values.

Expect more such unexpected names to be linked with United that come out of nowhere.