“Stupidly stubborn” – Lecce president reveals how INEOS forced him to sell Patrick Dorgu | OneFootball

Lecce president Sticchi Damiani explains how Manchester United managed to convince him to sell Patrick Dorgu.

The Red Devils had a relatively quiet January transfer session, but at least they splashed £30 million to sign the 20-year-old Dane who arrives to reinforce the club’s left flank. The youngster replaces Tyrell Malacia who signed for PSV Eindhoven on loan.

However, finding an agreement with Lecce was no easy feat for the Red Devils, as the Serie A minnows were keen to maintain the services of their most prized asset at least until the end of the season.

But while the Giallorossi were hoping to convince the English giants to delay the operation until the summer, INEOS were having none of it, bluntly telling their counterparts that it was either now or never, thus forcing the Italians’ hand.

“We said several times that Dorgu would not leave in January, and now I will explain why the opposite happened,” said Damiani via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“Then Manchester United arrived, who made themselves heard with us and with the lad’s entourage. We told them that we had no intention of letting Dorgu leave in January. We didn’t talk about figures, nor ask for increases. But instead of stopping United, this approach had the opposite effect.

How INEOS pulled off Patrick Dorgu signing

(Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The Lecce president revealed how he succumbed to the pressure in fear of missing the boat.

“They ​​insisted. We asked several times to postpone everything until the summer, also promising the young man that he would not miss the opportunity. For us too it was a historic step, we just wanted to do it in July. The Premier League communicated to us their desire, the club and its coach, to make an immediate deal. There was an ultimatum, now or never. They also told the player the same.

“You cannot blame Dorgu. Imagine you’re 20 and Manchester United knocks on your door with such an offer. The combination of these factors led us to think that we would have gone from being consistent to being stupidly stubborn.”

Damiani’s words prove Ruben Amorim and United were desperate to land the Denmark international in January, so it remains to be seen if the youngster will prove them right with his displays on the pitch.