'One for the future': Man United told they've struck deal to sign a 'solid all-rounder' who Arsenal also wanted
Yesterday at 02:15 PM
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has reportedly secured his first signing at Old Trafford in Paraguayan prodigy Diego Leon.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the 17-year-old full-back has agreed to join Manchester United from July 2025 when he turns 18.
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey previously confirmed that Arsenal were in the Leon race alongside Man United.
Leon, who currently plies his trade with Paraguayan outfit Cerro Porteno, is set to join the Red Devils for an initial £3million, with up to £3million in add-ons.
Now, South American football expert Tim Vickery has told Man United fans what they can expect from Leon when he arrives at Old Trafford.
Manchester United-bound Diego Leon a ‘solid all-rounder’
Vickery was asked on Sky Sports News what Leon is like as a player and what he could bring to the Red Devils setup.
The South American football expert initially reiterated how Man United “can’t have him until the summer”, which is “an indication of just how quickly the market can go for south american talent”.
Vickery continued: “He only made his debut in August – by October he’s already being linked with major Premier League clubs. First it was Arsenal and subsequently Manchester United.
“He’s a strapping lad, been playing at left-back, shows defensive skills – although he did score one of the all-time great own goals when he lobbed his own keeper from 40 yards. Accidents can happen!
“But he looks like a solid all-rounder – he can go outside and attack, he can attack the space inside the penalty area, he can defend as well.
“Quite where he’d fit into the scheme at Manchester United are playing at the moment, I don’t really know.
“But he’s got a few more months yet to develop and establish his identity as a player – so one for the future.”
What else has been said about Leon
Goal.com have described Leon as ‘pacey and powerful, but he also has impressive technical ability, being adept at keeping the ball under control while running at breakneck speed.’
They added: ‘He is an attacking full-back renowned for getting into the final third, knocking in crosses and also getting on the end of them.’
Man United have been on the lookout for a new left-back due to the injury issues Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have suffered over the past 18 months.
Now, it looks as though they’ve got themselves a star for the future, and it’ll be exciting to see how Leon gets on when he arrives at Old Trafford later this year.
