DONE DEAL: Manchester United signed 24-year-old striker for world-record fee of £122m as the superstar becomes the Reds most expensive signing in history

Manchester United have outlined their plan for young defender Diego Leon, who is set to join the club officially in July, according to Manchester World.

Alongside bringing in players to have an immediate impact on their senior squad, United have to recruit some of the best young talents from around the world, hoping to sign players with a lot of potential and sell-on value. Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi-Martin are prime examples, both joining from Arsenal for minimal fees and already developing into players who are in and around the first team.

Man Utd Outline Plan for Diego Leon
He’s already completed his medical

According to a report from Manchester World, United are set to officially sign Leon from Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno next month. The Red Devils agreed a deal back in January but held off until he turned 18, and he’s set to join on a five-year deal for a fee that will potentially rise to £7m.
Leon, described as ‘lightning-quick’ by Transfermarkt, has already completed his medical at Old Trafford, and United now plan to assess him during pre-season, rather than sending him out on loan straight away. A temporary departure hasn’t been ruled out, but Leon is set to be assessed in the coming months, and there’s a chance he could join Amorim’s senior squad on their pre-season tour of America.
Considering his age and lack of senior-level experience, it feels unlikely that Leon will be a player to become a regular for United next season, but the next few months gives them an opportunity to assess what level he’s at and what the next step in his career will be.
🔴 **Manchester United Outline Plan for Diego Leon – “Lightning-Quick” Talent Joins in July**

Manchester United continue their aggressive youth recruitment drive with the **official signing of Paraguayan defender Diego Leon**, set to join the club in **July** after turning 18 — as confirmed by [*Manchester World*](https://www.manchesterworld.uk).

—

### ✍️ **Deal Summary**

* **Name:** Diego Leon
* **Position:** Defender (primarily right-back)
* **From:** Cerro Porteño (Paraguay)
* **Transfer Fee:** Up to **£7 million** with add-ons
* **Contract:** 5 years
* **Medical:** ✅ Completed earlier this year
* **Arrival:** Officially joins in **July 2025**, post-18th birthday

—

### 🚀 **What Makes Leon Special?**

Leon has been described by *Transfermarkt* and local South American outlets as:

* **“Lightning quick”** with elite pace and recovery runs
* Comfortable in 1v1 defending
* Has a strong engine, ideal for modern wing-back roles
* **Versatile** — able to play as a full-back, wing-back, or even a right-sided centre-back in a back three

—

### 🧠 **United’s Plan for Development**

* **Initial Assessment in Pre-Season:**
United *will not send him out on loan immediately*. Instead, he will be **assessed during the pre-season** under Rúben Amorim and the first-team coaches.
* **Potential Tour Inclusion:**
There is a real chance Leon could be included in **United’s pre-season tour of the USA**, where Amorim wants to evaluate emerging youth talent directly.
* **Loan Not Ruled Out:**
Depending on his progress, a **loan to a Championship or League One club** (or even a European partner club) could still happen later in the summer.

—

### 👶 **Another Smart Youth Investment**

Leon joins a growing list of highly-rated youngsters snapped up under INEOS and United’s revamped recruitment model:

* **Ayden Heaven** and **Chido Obi-Martin** (both from Arsenal)
* **Ethan Wheatley**, **Willy Kambwala**, **Harry Amass**, and **Jack Fletcher** (all thriving in the academy setup)

The goal: **develop world-class talent in-house** and either promote them to the senior squad or generate strong sell-on revenue — a model used effectively by clubs like Dortmund and Benfica.

—

### 📊 **The Bigger Picture**

United are prioritising **both elite first-team signings and strategic youth development**. With players like Diego Leon, they’re laying the groundwork for:

* A **cost-effective, high-upside squad**
* A talent pool that can support Amorim’s high-energy, tactical demands
* Future flexibility in the market

—

Would you like a **projected career pathway** for Diego Leon or a **profile breakdown** of how he compares to United’s current right-backs like Dalot and Wan-Bissaka?