Serie A club slap €50m asking price on 20-year-old star amid Chelsea transfer interest: Reports
Lecce have reportedly put a €50 million price tag on Patrick Dorgu amidst interest from Chelsea. Their London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Italian giants Napoli have also been linked with a move for the Danish left-back.
Dorgu has garnered interest from top clubs across Europe after his performances with Lecce. He can play as a left-back, right-winger, left-midfielder, and more. He is brilliant on the ball and can offer a goal threat while also being good in defense. Hence, could fit perfectly with the likes of Tottenham or Chelsea, who play with inverted fullbacks.
Sky Sports journalist Francesco Modungo recently spoke about Dorgu's future on Radio Marte, saying (via CalcioNapoli24):
"Can Dorgu really go to Napoli? I know one thing: in Lecce they are certain to make the highest capital gain ever in the Corvino era. He could have gone to Tottenham and Chelsea last year, the boy, and Lecce could sell him for 40-50 million euros.
Modunga added that Dorgu has attracted a lot of interest and Lecce are determined to extract as big a fee for him as they can. He said:
"Patrick is predestined. In a recent interview I did with the former Salento coach Gotti, the coach confided in me that "God wanted him to play football. He has infinite technical and physical means. In short, whoever wants him must shell out at least a lot of money.
"There is no doubt that Napoli likes him, but he interests all the 'big' teams, especially the English ones, who are looking carefully at a player like him: a very young player, good in the trident and who can also act further back, even capable of scoring."
Dorgu, 20, has scored two goals in 13 appearances across competitions for Lecce this season. His contract with the Italian side expires in 2029.
A look at Chelsea and Tottenham's left-back options
Both Premier League sides need reinforcements in the left-back area. Chelsea currently have Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella in their squad. However, Chilwell is not a part of manager Enzo Maresca's plans and is expected to leave. Hence, Cucurella has mostly played as a left-back for the Blues this season, with Levi Colwill occasionally dropping in.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have just Destiny Udogie as their left-back. Ben Davies is more suited to a centre-back role now and is also expected to leave next summer. They have had to play 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray or right-back Djed Spence in Udogie's absence at left-back this season.
Both Chelsea and Tottenham like to play with inverted fullbacks, albeit, very differently. The Blues keep changing between inverted and natural fullbacks in a game, with only one of them inverting at most times. They are also limited to deep-lying playmakers.
Spurs, however, often find their fullbacks as their furthest forward players in a game with both inverting at all times. Hence, Dorgu's versatility means that he could be a perfect addition for both sides if they manage to sign him.