Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Paraguayan teenage defender Diego Leon – the first acquisition of the Ruben Amorim era.
The 17-year-old was pictured on social media preparing to leave South America for Manchester, where he will undergo a medical before putting pen to paper on a long-term contract.
Leon’s transfer is expected to pocket current employers Cerro Porteno around £6m, with multiple reports suggesting he could head back to Paraguay on loan for the remainder of the season.
A left-sided defender, Leon is not expected to immediately challenge for a prominent role in Amorim’s first-team squad, but provides long-term cover for a position that the Portuguese coach is known to want to strengthen.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes continues to be linked with a big-money move to United, having previously worked with Amorim during his time at Sporting CP, as Amorim seeks a player capable of bombing forward from left wing-back.
🚨🔴 Manchester United’s latest signing, Diego Leon on his way to England for his medical. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/LwUfrXuxV5
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) January 11, 2025
Diogo Dalot has been filling in as a temporary measure though he is best suited to playing on the right. Luke Shaw, meanwhile, continues to struggle with injuries and Tyrell Malacia is still working his way back after a lengthy absence of his own.
There are also expected to be outgoings at Old Trafford this month. Marcus Rashford could be the most high-profile exit after falling out of favour, and he could be joined by Joshua Zirkzee, who has failed to settle at United following a £34m summer move from Bologna.
Rashford could be heading to Italy, where he is wanted by AC Milan, Juventus and Napoli, while Zirkzee is a primary target for Juve – there has been talk of a swap deal that would see Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic head in the opposite direction.
As for Leon, he was called up to Paraguay for the upcoming South American Under-20 Championship in Venezuela, having made his first team debut for Cerro Porteno in August last year.
