Manchester United close to signing Lecce wing-back Patrick Dorgu

Patrick Dorgu is close to joining Manchester United.

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Lecce's Patrick Dorgu, the PA news agency understands.

Ruben Amorim's progress since taking over as head coach in November has been hindered somewhat by the squad's composition, with a lack of options at left wing-back a key issue.

United have targeted Dorgu, 20, to help bolster that area and the talented Denmark international is edging closer to becoming the Portuguese's first signing.

An initial 30million euros (£25.1m) plus 5m euros (£4.2) in add-ons is understood to have been largely agreed with Serie A side Lecce as progress continues on a deal that now needs finalising.

Dorgu's arrival in England to complete the move may not come on Wednesday, when United head to Bucharest to round off the new-look Europa League group stage against FCSB on Thursday night.

Amorim's ability to overhaul the squad has been restricted this month due to the club's challenging profit and sustainability considerations.

Big-money flop Antony has so far been the only major outgoing, having last week joined Real Betis on loan for the remainder of the season.

The La Liga club are covering at least 84 per cent of his salary, with further potential bonuses worked into an agreement that does not include an option to make the move permanent.

Marcus Rashford, Casemiro and Alejandro Garnacho are among those whose futures are subject of speculation ahead of Monday's transfer deadline.

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, has been an Arsenal fan since boyhood.

In other transfer news, Arsenal have had a significant bid for Ollie Watkins rejected by Aston Villa, after identifying the England striker as a priority target.

Arsenal are thought to have made the approach last week but Villa have no desire to sell Watkins. Villa are also braced for a bid from Al-Nassr for Jhon Durán and could reluctantly sell the Colombia forward if they received about £80m.

The Saudi Pro League club are thought to be weighing up whether to spend big on Durán, after agreeing a deal to sign the Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface. Villa, who host Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday hoping to automatically qualify for the last 16, will not entertain selling both Durán and Watkins in this window.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal return with a second bid for Watkins. Their manager, Mikel Arteta, has not hidden his desire to strengthen his attack after injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka. “Ideally we need some help,” Arteta said last week. “We were short already and now we are even shorter. The team still copes with that.” 

Watkins has scored 10 goals in 31 appearances for Villa this season, including the equaliser in their recent 2-2 draw at Arsenal. The 29-year-old, who signed from Brentford five years ago, was a boyhood Arsenal fan. “That’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day,” Watkins said in 2020.

Watkins is thought to be Unai Emery’s first-choice striker despite Durán’s prolific form, especially off the bench, this season. Watkins has three years on his contract and Durán signed a new deal to 2030 towards the end of last year.

Paris Saint-Germain have shown interest in Durán, who has scored 12 goals this season, but Al-Nassr’s presence has altered the picture. It is an odd situation given that Leverkusen had given permission to Boniface to have a medical with the Saudi Pro League club. Leverkusen, who have loaned Emi Buendía from Villa, are one of the clubs tracking the Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.

Villa have signed the Netherlands forward Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund and fetching a big fee for Durán would boost their budget. 

An issue for Unai Emery is that he prefers to play with one striker and has had little luck pairing Duran with Watkins. There is no doubt over Duran’s talent but questions have been raised about his attitude. Chelsea and West Ham looked at signing him last summer.

Villa have held talks with Chelsea over signing the France defender Axel Disasi and the Portugal forward João Félix. Emery needs defensive reinforcements and Disasi favours a move to Villa. 

However, there is doubt over whether Félix can be convinced to join Villa. Emery is a big fan of the former Benfica forward, who has not held down a regular place since joining Chelsea last summer, but sources believe that the 25-year-old is unlikely to stay in the Premier League if he leaves this month.