Patrick Dorgu (foto: Getty Images)
Lecce president Saverio Sticchi Damiani has confirmed that the club has rejected an offer from Manchester United for rising star Patrick Dorgu, emphasizing their focus on securing Serie A survival.
Manchester United had identified Dorgu, a versatile left-back, as a key target to bolster their squad, with manager Ruben Amorim eager to reinforce the position. A meeting between the two clubs took place on January 21, but no agreement was reached, as Lecce remain determined to retain their key players for the remainder of the season.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italy, Damiani expressed his satisfaction at being approached by such a prestigious club but stressed that maintaining the squad's stability was the club's top priority.
"The meeting went well; it was a cordial discussion. For us, it is a great satisfaction to sit at the table with Manchester United and discuss a player from our Primavera," Damiani said. "This shows remarkable growth for our club, and we are very happy with it."
He added:
"We have made it clear to Manchester that our priority is to keep the squad intact, especially key players like Dorgu. It is a crucial time in our season as we aim to secure another historic survival in Serie A. Although we are flattered by their offer, our focus remains on the sporting objective."
Reports suggest that United tabled an offer of €30 million (£25.4 million) upfront, with an additional €5 million (£4.2 million) in bonuses. However, Lecce reportedly value the highly-rated full-back at €40 million (£33.8 million).
Meanwhile, Napoli are rumored to be prepared to match Lecce’s valuation, potentially putting them ahead in the race to sign the talented Danish defender.