Man United have second bid rejected for left-back who is valued at £35m despite being bought for £200k
Manchester United have had a second offer worth £27million for Lecce wing-back Patrick Dorgu rejected, talkSPORT understands. Should United be unable to reach an agreement with Leece for Dorgu, it is understood they would consider activating their buyback option on Benfica’s Alvaro Fernandez. Dorgu has been eyed by Tottenham and ChelseaGetty The Spanish left-back spent three-and-a-half years on United’s books but never played a senior match, spending time on loan at Preston North End, Granada and Benfica. Benfica made the deal permanent for just €6million (£5million) in May last year. Fernandez has gone on to make 30 appearances across all competitions for Benfica this term, registering three goals and four assists. United and Lecce will continue talks this weekend with the aim of reaching a compromise deal. This comes after an opening bid of £23m was rejected, with the Italian club holding out for a transfer fee of around £35m. Dorgu joined Leece in 2022 from Danish FC Nordsjælland, to the tune of just £168,000 [€200,000]. Initially joining the Serie A side’s Under-19s squad, he spent just one season with the youth team before being promoted to the senior squad and made his first-team Lecce debut in August 2023. In the one-and-a-half years since his senior debut, the 20-year-old has made 56 appearances, scoring five goals and providing two assists. His performances have also seen him rewarded with four caps for the senior Denmark national team. And Lecce are now looking to make huge profit off the starlet, as they play hardball over a £35m valuation of a player they bought for less than £200,000 three years ago. Dorgu will join a host of full-backs at Man UnitedGetty United head coach Ruben Amorim is aiming to land his first transfer since his appointment in November 2024. As Man United sit 13th in the Premier League, it is clear the squad needs new additions to revive their season. Following an expensive summer window bringing in Leny Yoro [£58.9m] and Matthijs de Ligt [£42.9m], owners Ineos are much more reserved this time around and are looking to offload the likes of Antony and Marcus Rashford, who are on big wages, before splashing the cash. But to secure Dorgu’s signature, Man United must do so this window otherwise other interested parties may return. Chelsea have registered their interest previously and the Dane is a self proclaimed fan of the Blues who would consider it ‘a dream’ to play at Stamford Bridge. At Sporting Lisbon Amorim often played a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 where the wing-backs are arguably the most crucial players. Amorim clearly sees Dorgu as the man to fit his specialist systemGetty Tasked with stretching the pitch by being high and wide, it allows for space to be created inside. Not only that, they need to function as an attacking weapon able to deliver crosses and directly contribute to goals. Dorgu as someone who has played multiple games as a left-sided wing-back and in theory fills Amorim’s desire. Diogo Dalot has often played in that position despite not being either a natural attacker or left footed player. Tyrell Malacia since his return from injury has featured there occasionally while Luke Shaw continues to be sidelined with a muscular issue. Dorgu only cost Lecce £168,000 when they signed him in 2022 – now they want £35m for himGetty Fans will grow impatient if results do not turn around but Dorgu could be the start of a new chapter of Amorim ball. It was a system that took Manchester City by storm when they lost 4-1 to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League earlier this season with Amorim at the helm.
Manchester United have had a second offer worth £27million for Lecce wing-back Patrick Dorgu rejected, talkSPORT understands.
Should United be unable to reach an agreement with Leece for Dorgu, it is understood they would consider activating their buyback option on Benfica’s Alvaro Fernandez.
The Spanish left-back spent three-and-a-half years on United’s books but never played a senior match, spending time on loan at Preston North End, Granada and Benfica.
Benfica made the deal permanent for just €6million (£5million) in May last year.
Fernandez has gone on to make 30 appearances across all competitions for Benfica this term, registering three goals and four assists.
United and Lecce will continue talks this weekend with the aim of reaching a compromise deal.
This comes after an opening bid of £23m was rejected, with the Italian club holding out for a transfer fee of around £35m.
Dorgu joined Leece in 2022 from Danish FC Nordsjælland, to the tune of just £168,000 [€200,000].
Initially joining the Serie A side’s Under-19s squad, he spent just one season with the youth team before being promoted to the senior squad and made his first-team Lecce debut in August 2023.
In the one-and-a-half years since his senior debut, the 20-year-old has made 56 appearances, scoring five goals and providing two assists.
His performances have also seen him rewarded with four caps for the senior Denmark national team.
And Lecce are now looking to make huge profit off the starlet, as they play hardball over a £35m valuation of a player they bought for less than £200,000 three years ago.
United head coach Ruben Amorim is aiming to land his first transfer since his appointment in November 2024.
As Man United sit 13th in the Premier League, it is clear the squad needs new additions to revive their season.
Following an expensive summer window bringing in Leny Yoro [£58.9m] and Matthijs de Ligt [£42.9m], owners Ineos are much more reserved this time around and are looking to offload the likes of Antony and Marcus Rashford, who are on big wages, before splashing the cash.
But to secure Dorgu’s signature, Man United must do so this window otherwise other interested parties may return.
Chelsea have registered their interest previously and the Dane is a self proclaimed fan of the Blues who would consider it ‘a dream’ to play at Stamford Bridge.
At Sporting Lisbon Amorim often played a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 where the wing-backs are arguably the most crucial players.
Tasked with stretching the pitch by being high and wide, it allows for space to be created inside.
Not only that, they need to function as an attacking weapon able to deliver crosses and directly contribute to goals.
Dorgu as someone who has played multiple games as a left-sided wing-back and in theory fills Amorim’s desire.
Diogo Dalot has often played in that position despite not being either a natural attacker or left footed player.
Tyrell Malacia since his return from injury has featured there occasionally while Luke Shaw continues to be sidelined with a muscular issue.
Fans will grow impatient if results do not turn around but Dorgu could be the start of a new chapter of Amorim ball.
It was a system that took Manchester City by storm when they lost 4-1 to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League earlier this season with Amorim at the helm.
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