Manchester United eyeing move for £30 million-rated star who rejected Chelsea: Reports
Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Lecce star Patrick Dorgu, who rejected a chance to join Chelsea earlier this summer.
Dorgu, 19, has popped up as one of the most promising left-backs in the Serie A since his senior debut for Lecce last August. He has started 21 of his 38 appearances across competitions for his current club, scoring two goals and providing one assist in the process.
Earlier this Thursday (September 5), the ex-FC Nordsjaelland youth star made his international debut for Denmark. He scored a goal just 47 seconds into his debut in a 2-0 UEFA Nations League win over Switzerland.
Now, according to HITC, Manchester United's scouts have been impressed with Dorgu's recent development and the club are keen to sign him. However, they are liekly to face competition from Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Atletico Madrid.
Earlier this summer, Dorgu reportedly snubbed an opportunity to join Chelsea as he was uninterested in being loaned out to the Blues' sister club RC Strasbourg. As a result, Enzo Maresca's outfit decided to finalise a £12 million summer move for former FC Basel star Renato Veiga.
Dorgu, whose current contract is set to run out in June 2027, is valued at around £30 million, as per acclaimed transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. Should he join United, he could emerge as a crucial starter in the future over the injury-prone pair Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
Former Brighton coach reveals Manchester United star Toby Collyer snubbed Chelsea
During a recent chat with Manchester Evening News, ex-Brighton & Hove Albion academy coach Mark Beard revealed why he advised Toby Collyer to join Manchester United instead of Chelsea. He said:
"Everyone wanted to sign him [in 2022]. I told Toby you've got to sign for Manchester United when he asked for advice. I said Chelsea won't give you a chance because they've got 700 players and Tottenham [Hotspur] aren't known for bringing kids through. I said United was the place for him and it wasn’t just me who said it, there were a few others who gave him that advice and he's done amazing."
Collyer, 20, rose through Brighton's youth ranks before being released. He joined Manchester United's U18 side in March 2022 despite reported interest from Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City.
A right-footed defensive midfielder, Collyer made his senior debut for the Red Devils in the FA Community Shield loss to City last month. He featured in his first Premier League game after replacing Casemiro during his team's 3-0 home loss against Liverpool earlier this month.