Manchester United have made a new bid for Lecce wing-back Patrick Dorgu, though there are conflicting reports over how much the Red Devils have offered.
Dorgu, 20, has emerged as the club’s number one target for the left wing-back position this month – an area of significant weakness in Ruben Amorim’s squad at present.
There had been initial talks of a move for Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes – who played under Amorim at Sporting CP – but this proved unrealistic, with the Portuguese international likely to sign a new deal with the Ligue 1 champions.
Instead, Old Trafford officials have switched focus to Dorgu, whose potent pairing of pace and physicality offers many of the same strengths Mendes does.
The Dane is also positionally versatile with Lecce often deploying the 20-year-old as a right-winger this season in games where they expect to have more of the ball. Conversely, in matches against tougher opponents, Dorgu returns to his trademark left wing-back position to buttress the defence.
This tactical flexibility will be attractive to Amorim with a lack of viable options in both wing-back positions in the United squad, outside of Amad; and even then, the Ivorian starlet is best deployed in a number ten role where he is more involved with play.
The fact Dorgu could feasibly offer an option at LWB and RWB, while possessing much-needed speed and strength for a team devoid of both, indicates why United are prioritising a move for the Danish international.
An opening offer worth in the region of €27 million with add-ons was rejected by Lecce. But a new bid has now been tabled, with The Athletic reporting it is worth €30 million – €10 million short of the €40 million valuation the Italian side are believed to be holding out for.
However, Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano contends the new proposal by United is worth “in excess of €30 million”, suggesting it may come closer to Lecce’s demands than The Athletic’s report states
