Diego Leon will travel to Old Trafford to join Man United in June | OneFootball

Diego Leon will complete his switch to Manchester United next month when the Paraguayan Championship ends, according to a South American journalist.

Uriel Iugt reveals the 18-year-old fullback will travel to Old Trafford in the “second week of June” to complete the move from Cerro Porteño.

Translated Tweet: “Diego León is expected to travel to England in the second week of June to join #ManchesterUnited. The full-back will begin his trip to the old continent once the Paraguayan championship ends.”

United reached a “full agreement” with the Paraguayan club in December for a transfer worth a potential fee of around £7 million – £3.3m up front with £820,000 in easily achievable add-ons and further £2.87m “depending Leon hitting a number of harder targets.”

At the time, the defender was only 17 and thus the move could not be officially ratified until April, when he turned 18.

Leon is considered one of the standout prospects in South American football with a potent pairing of physicality and pace which belies his age.

He possesses a powerful frame already enabling him to succeed in men’s football and is extremely effective in providing overlaps and engaging in duels.

In many ways, Leon will offer a contrast to an existing left-back at Old Trafford – Harry Amass – with the academy star exhibiting excellent technical ability on the ball, but often struggling with the physical rigours of senior football off it.

The Paraguayan U20 starlet will not endure the same difficulties when he makes the switch to Manchester in June, though there will be obvious transitional issues in terms of language and culture, as well as the expectations at a club the size of United.

Expectations must be moderated for Leon, despite the options at left wing-back in Ruben Amorim’s squad – Patrick Dorgu, Luke Shaw and Amass – yet to all stake a strong claim for the vital position in the Portuguese manager’s system.

Leon’s profile lends itself favourably to Amorim’s tactical set-up with the flying fullback a force to be contended with at both ends of the pitch – as United’s head coach expects from his wing-backs.

But the idea the 18-year-old will land in England in June and be ready to play in the world’s most demanding league from August onwards is a fanciful one.

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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