Man Utd 'secure' next transfer for talented midfielder as fee emerges and timeline set

Manchester United have reportedly finalised the signing of 17-year-old Colombian midfielder Cristian Orozco, who currently plays for Fortaleza CEIF and has captained Colombia's Under-17 team.

The Manchester Evening Newspreviously reported that a preliminary agreement had been reached to sign the promising young talent, who is expected to become a first-team player.

However, it's understood that Orozco won't be making his move to Old Trafford until he turns 18 next year.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that all details have been sealed and signed to complete the deal for Orozco, with the transfer fee set at $1million (£741,000).

Romano also stated that United's legal team have given their approval to the paperwork, and the young midfielder will make his move to England next summer.

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Orozco is expected to arrive at Old Trafford with a similar profile to Sekou Kone, who was signed from Malian club Guidars FC for around £1m in 2024 after impressing scouts at the Under-17 World Cup. It's believed that Orozco's performances at the recent Under-17 South American Championship were excellent.

United's focus on academy signings has broadened in recent years due to Brexit-related regulations, which prevent them from signing players from European clubs, leading to increased scouting efforts in other continents.

Earlier this year, a £3.3m deal, potentially rising to £7m with add-ons, was agreed with Cerro Porteno for the signing of Diego Leon.

Leon joined the Carrington squad in the summer and has been turning heads with his performances. He had the opportunity to train with Ruben Amorim and the first team during pre-season, but is yet to make his debut.

United face Sunderland at Old Trafford in their next Premier League game on Saturday. The Red Devils are looking to bounce back from last weekend's surprise 3-1 defeat against Brentford.

Delivering his assessment on United's loss at the Gtech Community Stadium, as Igor Thiago's brace and Mathias Jensen's late strike condemned the Red Devils to defeat, Amorim said: "I think we played the game they wanted us to play, the opponents - really confused: first balls, second balls.

"If we play the game of the opponent, it’s harder for us. We never settled the game down. We suffered two goals where we knew they are really strong on that, with the long balls.

"Then we tried to get back in the game. We miss a penalty, and all these moments are a little bit against us. That could change the game, but in the end, we need to – and we should do – better."

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