Manchester United are on the brink of securing a deal for young Paraguayan full-back Diego Leon, with the 17-year-old travelling to Manchester to undergo a medical. The left-back, who has impressed with Cerro Porteno in his native Paraguay, is set to join the Red Devils in a deal worth up to £7.2m, with an initial £3.3m payment and potential add-ons of £800,000.
Leon’s move is seen as a significant step in United’s evolving transfer strategy under the guidance of their new technical director, Jason Wilcox. Wilcox, who joined from Southampton in April 2024, has played a key role in scouting and recruiting the promising young talent. The club’s recruitment strategy is also expected to be influenced by his expanded role following the departure of Dan Ashworth.
The teenager’s transfer is expected to be finalized soon, with Leon set to return to Paraguay after his medical. However, he will remain with Cerro Porteno until the summer before officially joining Manchester United in July. This deal marks the first signing driven by Wilcox and fits into United’s broader approach to nurturing young talent, adding to their squad depth for the future.
The signing of Leon highlights the club’s focus on securing emerging talent from across the globe. The Red Devils have made clear their ambition to build a strong foundation for success in the coming years, with Leon being the first of potentially more youth acquisitions under the new strategy.
Following his arrival at United, Leon will aim to make an impact in the Premier League, with the club’s long-term vision focused on developing players who can make a difference on the field for years to come.
