'Travelling to Manchester for a medical' - Manchester United set to complete first signing of 2025

Manchester United are set to complete their first signing of 2025 this month, though the player won't actually join them until the summer transfer window.

Manchester World revealed last month United were in talks with Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño to sign teenage left-back Diego León, who is viewed as one of the brightest talents in South America. His club are believed to want a fee in the region of £4 million, including add-ons, for his signature, while reports suggest talks are already underway over a fee worth £3 million.

León, 17, turns 18 in April so would not be allowed to complete any move to Old Trafford until the summer at the earliest, though an agreement could still be reached before then. The latest reports from South America claim a deal is now close to completion, with the teenager set to travel to Manchester in the coming days for medical tests.

Paraguayan journalist Bruno Pont claims he recently spoke to the player's agent, who confirmed an upcoming trip to Manchester. He wrote on social media: "Renato Bittar confirms to us in #LaGranJugada that in these days they will travel with Diego León to Manchester, the player will undergo medical tests."

Last month, Cerro Porteño vice-president Juan Carlos Pettengill confirmed United's interest in the player, but insisted there was nothing formal at this stage. “If there were several surveys for some of our players, they asked about Diego León, our jewel but nothing formal,” Pettengill was quoted. “Diego León will play this semester at Cerro, he can’t leave before he turns 18 years old.”