Manchester United 'in talks' to sign Patrick Dorgu with Antony set for Real Betis loan switch

Evening Standard

·20 de enero de 2025

Manchester United 'in talks' to sign Patrick Dorgu with Antony set for Real Betis loan switch

Liverpool and Tottenham have also been linked with Lecce’s Danish left-back, who is said to favour Old Trafford move

Manchester United are reportedly in talks over a deal for Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu.

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The Danish defender, 20, has become very highly-rated for his performances in Serie A and been linked with several heavyweight clubs across the continent, including the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham.

However, it appears that United are determined to win the race for Dorgu, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein reporting on Monday that they have entered into talks with Lecce over a January transfer.

Fabrizio Romano reports that while there has been no bid tabled so far, the player is eager to move to Old Trafford as his current club hold out for a fee of around €40m (£33.8m).

He adds that United see Dorgu, who began his career at FC Nordsjaelland and has earned four senior international caps for Denmark to date as a team-mate of United duo Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund, as an alternative to more expensive left-back options in the likes of Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez - also linked with Liverpool - and Nuno Mendes of Paris Saint-Germain.

The left side of defence has been a problem for United and new boss Ruben Amorim, with first-choice option Luke Shaw remaining sidelined having missed most of 2024 with hamstring and calf injuries and Tyrell Malacia now linked with a move away.

England international Shaw is expected to return in the weeks ahead, but United are clearly eager to bolster their options after a dismal run that has seen them lose four out of their last five home league matches, including Sunday’s 3-1 loss to Brighton, to sit 13th in the table and 11 points outside the top six.

Dorgu would be the first signing of a quiet January transfer window so far for United, who have only sanctioned minor loans including striker Joe Hugill’s move to League Two strugglers Carlisle following his early recall from third-tier Wigan.

More incomings and outgoings are expected before the deadline on February 3, with Antony now believed to be closing in on an exit from Old Trafford.

The much-maligned Brazilian winger has been subject to strong criticism since moving from Ajax in an £86m deal in the summer of 2022, struggling for form under Erik ten Hag and playing a bit-part role for Amorim so far.

Antony now looks to be heading on loan to mid-table LaLiga club Real Betis for the remainder of the season, with Romano reporting that the deal contains no option or obligation for a permanent transfer, meaning he will be back at United in the summer.