DONE DEAL: Man completes another winter transfer signing, player will join in January

According to reports, Manchester United are getting closer to acquiring the first player under Ruben Amorim’s management, a young defender named Diego Leon.

The HBAgency
It was reported for the first time on Wednesday that the Red Devils were in negotiations with Cerro Porteno, a team from the top division of the Paraguayan football league, regarding a deal for the left-back, who is 17 years old and is valued at approximately £6 million with add-ons included.

It was reported that Leon traveled to England in order to discuss the move. Fabrizio Romano has since reported that an agreement between the teams is close to being reached, and negotiations over his contract are still ongoing.

The club has already signed midfield prospect Emmanuel Ziro this week as they aim to strengthen their junior ranks, and it is understood that Jason Wilcox is managing the deal in his capacity as United’s technical director. At the same time, the club is looking to strengthen its young ranks.

During his time at the Creative Football Academy in west London, Ziro is claimed to have garnered interest from a number of clubs, including Arsenal and Chelsea, before to signing a contract with Old Trafford.

Now that the January transfer window is drawing near, Wilcox appears to be taking on a more significant position at United. This will be the first transfer window that United has seen under Amorim’s leadership as head coach.

According to the Daily Mail, the former Blackburn, Leeds, and England winger is temporarily filling the role of sporting director Dan Ashworth. Ashworth’s shocking departure by mutual consent after only five months at the club was confirmed last week. The winger joined Southampton earlier this year after spending 11 years at Manchester City, where he was academy director. Ashworth’s departure was announced last week.

Wilcox is expected to collaborate closely with Christopher Vivell, who was brought on board as United’s interim director of recruitment over the summer. Vivell had previously served as Chelsea’s technical director for only seven months before the Blues hired Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart as co-sporting directors. Wilcox is expected to work closely with Vivell.