Lecce director: Dorgu an ‘historic deal’, ‘unrealistic’ to reject Man Utd bid | OneFootball

Lecce director Pantaleo Corvino insisted the Serie A minnows completed a ‘historic deal’ by selling Patrick Dorgu to Manchester United, as it allowed them to sign two players in place of the Danish starlet.

After holding lengthy negotiations with the Premier League giants, the Giallorossi eventually agreed to allow the winger’s move to Old Trafford for an initial transfer fee of €30m, which could rise to around €38m with add-ons.

Patrick Dorgu of Lecce smiles during the Serie A match between Lecce and Verona at Stadio Via del Mare on October 29, 2024 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

Corvino observed that it would’ve been ‘unrealistic’ for Lecce not to make a sale that was ‘one of the highest in the club’s history’, stressing how the money raised by Dorgu’s departure will permit the club to invest in infrastructure, as well as in new signings.

Corvino: We will build a ‘better Lecce’ thanks to ‘historic’ Dorgu deal

“This transfer window has involved a lot of work, both in terms of incoming and outgoing deals,” Corvino told reporters in a press conference, as quoted by Calciolecce.it.

We are not people who contradict ourselves, but as the president said, when you act for the sake of the club—something I agree with—you are seen as something you are not.

“It would have been unrealistic not to make a move that would generate resources to expand the club’s scope, also through infrastructure, and build a better Lecce.

Official: Patrick Dorgu joins Manchester United from Lecce (Picture @ManUtd via X)

“We had committed to signing three players. One was acquired immediately, then the other two followed, with Veiga and Tiago. Just hours before the end of the transfer window, we completed a historic deal, one of the highest in the club’s history.

“So, we made sure to sign the two players for Dorgu’s roles: one as an attacking winger and the other as a defensive winger, in line with our original commitment.”

Dorgu’s sale to Manchester United was Lecce’s most lucrative deal in history, surpassing the €19.5m move that saw Morten Hjulmand swap the Giallorossi for Sporting Lisbon in 2023.