Exclusive:Teenage star set for Manchester United medical next week ahead of proposed summer transfer

It might still be the January transfer window, but Manchester United are already closing in on their first signing of the summer.

United have been in talks to sign teenage full-back Diego León from Cerro Porteño with a provisional agreement already in place for him to move to Manchester at the end of the season. Due to registration rules, the 17-year-old is not allowed to join United until he turns 18 in April.

Manchester World understands León will travel to Manchester next week and spend a 'few days' with the club before he returns to South America for international duty with the Paraguay U20 squad ahead of the upcoming South American Championship.

It is understood this first visit to Manchester will include his initial medical examinations ahead of his proposed move to the club in the summer, as well as an opportunity for him to meet staff members and be introduced to the club's facilities. The provisional deal has already been sealed by technical director Jason Wilcox, with lead South American scout Giuseppe Antonaccio credited as the one who pushed for the move.

Last month, León played down the links to Old Trafford and reiterated his focus was on playing for Cerro Porteño. “I have a huge expectation to play the Libertadores 2025,” he reiterated when asked about the transfer rumours by Deportes Uno. “I’ve seen about Manchester United’s enquiry about me, but I don’t know anything. Everything is handled by my agent.”

United have identified South America as an untapped market for potential bargain buys and will continue to monitor the continent for future youth recruits. Although viewed as a first-team signing, the teenage full-back could be given time in the youth set up to settle in his new environment, just as Sekou Kone has since he joined last summer.