Manchester United are closing in MEMORANDUM of teenage Paraguayan defender Diego Leon – the first signing 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 committing to a long-term contract.
Leon's transfer is expected to pocket current employers Cerro Porteno around £6 million multiple reports suggesting he could return to Paraguay on loan for the remainder of the season.
A left-back, Leon is not expected to immediately challenge for a prominent role in Amorim's first team, but provides long-term cover for a position the Portuguese coach is known to want to strengthen.
Paris Saint-Germain's Nuno Mendes continues to be linked in a big-money move to United, having previously worked with Amorim during his time at Sporting CP, as Amorim looks for a player capable of attacking forward from the left wing.
🚨🔴 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 filled in as a temporary measure although he is best suited to play on the right. Luke Shaw, meanwhile, continues to fight him INJURY and Tyrell Malacia is still recovering from a long absence.
It is expected that there will also be an appearance at Old Trafford this month. Marcus Rashford could be the most high-profile exit since the fall in favour, and he could be joined by Joshua Zirkzee, who has failed to decide united following a £34m summer move from Bologna.
Rashford can go to Italywhere he is wanted by AC Milan, Juventus and Napoli, while Zirkzee is Juventus' top target – there has been talk of a swap deal that would see Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic in the opposite direction.
As for Leon, he was called up to Paraguay for the upcoming South American U-20 Championship in Venezuela after making his debut for the Cerro Porteno side in August last year.