Manchester United are reportedly in advanced negotiations to sign Diego Leon, a highly-rated 17-year-old left-back from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno.
The teenager made his first-team debut in August, scoring a decisive goal in his debut match. Since then, Leon has become a regular starter, making 19 league appearances this season and establishing himself as a standout performer on the left side of defense.
Renowned journalist Cesar Luis Merlo reports that United have already submitted a bid for Leon, with an initial fee of $4 million (£3.1m) agreed. Talks are ongoing to finalize details, including potential add-ons and the player’s economic rights.
Leon, who will turn 18 in April 2025, has expressed his desire to remain with Cerro Porteno for the upcoming Copa Libertadores campaign starting in February.
Speaking to Deportes Uno, the young defender shared his thoughts: “I have huge expectations about playing in the 2025 Libertadores. I’ve read about Manchester United’s link, but I don’t know anything yet. Everything is handled by my agent. I’ve been preparing for this opportunity for four years, and I want to make the most of it. For now, I’m focused on everything that happened this season. The night before my debut, I couldn’t even sleep because of the excitement.”
Juan Carlos Pettengill, Cerro Porteno’s vice-president, confirmed that Leon would not leave the club before turning 18. “Diego Leon will play this season at Cerro; he can’t leave before he turns 18 years old,” Pettengill said, emphasizing the club’s commitment to keeping him for the foreseeable future.
As United look to bolster their defensive options for the future, Leon’s potential arrival marks another step in their strategy of investing in young talent. For now, the promising left-back remains focused on his development and contributing to Cerro Porteno’s success.