Man Utd closing on first signing of Ruben Amorim era

Manchester United are getting closer to that signing of Paraguayan teenage defender Diego Leon – the first acquisition of the Ruben Amorim era.

The 17-year-old was seen on social media as he prepared to leave South America for Manchester, where he will undergo a medical before signing a long-term contract.

Leon’s transfer is expected to net current employers Cerro Porteno around £6million, with multiple reports suggesting he could return to Paraguay on loan for the remainder of the season.

Leon is not expected to immediately challenge for a prominent role in Amorim’s first-team squad at left-back, but he does provide long-term protection for a position the Portuguese coach is known to want to strengthen.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes continues to be linked with a big move to United, having previously worked with Amorim during his time at Sporting CP, as Amorim looks for a player capable of playing from left-back to shoot in front.

Diogo Dalot has been brought in temporarily, although he is best suited to playing on the right-hand side. Meanwhile, Luke Shaw continues to battle injuries and Tyrell Malacia is still working his way back after a lengthy absence.

There are also expected to be departures at Old Trafford this month. Marcus Rashford could be the highest-profile departure after falling out of favor and he could be joined by Joshua Zirkzee, who failed to settle at United after a £34million move from Bologna in the summer.

Rashford could head to Italy, where he is wanted by AC Milan, Juventus and Napoli, while Zirkzee is a key target for Juventus – there has been talk of a swap deal that would move Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic in the opposite direction.

Leon, in turn, was called up to Paraguay for the upcoming South American U20 Championship in Venezuela after making his first team debut for Cerro Porteno in August last year.

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