Who is Diego León? Paraguayan left-back linked with Manchester United

The full-back is one of the most promising youngsters currently playing in the Paraguay league.

Manchester United have agreed to a $4 million (£3.1 million) fee to acquire Diego León from Cerro Porteño, reports suggest.

A few of the terms of the contract are still up for debate, but advanced negotiations are in progress to sign the 17-year-old left back.

Many other young players have already been linked after Sekou Kone was signed by the club on the final day, and Chido Obi was also acquired from Arsenal. Diego Leon, a Paraguayan sensation, is supposedly getting close to joining United.

Once the move is finalised, Leon will start his life at a much bigger club where he will get exposure to playing in one of the biggest leagues. The Teenager has already proved himself in Paraguay’s Primera División.

Despite being linked to one of the top clubs in Europe, Leon still has a lot to develop but how has the 17-year-old grown throughout his playing career?

Who is Diego León?

In August 2024, León (born April 3, 2007) made his professional debut for Cerro Porteño in the top division of Paraguay, and he immediately built a name for himself as a mainstay. León started the following nine games after his debut and participated in every minute of eight of those contests.

Leon’s quick development saw him become an integral part of the club and he went on to make 19 appearances and played 1,642 minutes.

As evidenced by his two goals this season, the gifted defender is dangerous in attacking areas and has incredible physicality for his age. Roberto Rojas, an associate editor at ESPN and an authority on Paraguayan football, shared his thoughts on his personality and rising stardom in South America.

“He’s a player with a lot of promise, who happened to make this big jump into the first team at Cerro Porteño so quickly,” Rojas told.

As someone coming from a remote place (Yguazú, in Alto Paraná which is roughly 300 km from the capital Asuncion) and growing up in difficult circumstances, León has proven to be someone who can surpass that adversity to get to where he’s been.

He’s definitely viewed highly because of his talent and recent performances for one of the biggest clubs in the country and occupying that left flank as a full-back has allowed him to be someone who can go onto the attack, start playing from the back and also be versatile.”

🗞️🚨 Manchester United have AGREED a fee of $4m (£3.1m) for the transfer of Diego León from Cerro Porteño.Advanced negotiations are underway to sign the 17-year-old left back, with several aspects of the deal still being discussed. [@CLMerlo] pic.twitter.com/sySnoaYgtY

— UtdXclusive (@UtdXclusive) December 11, 2024

How good is Diego León at such a young age?

It is crucial to exercise caution when assessing young players, particularly those who have played in fewer than 15 competitive games. However, León’s maturity and physical characteristics are striking; he doesn’t play or look like a 17-year-old, which is why there is so much hype about him. Although Paraguayan is a physical specimen who is incredibly fast and aggressive in duels, there are unavoidable areas for growth, such as his positioning.

Although his ceiling is still unknown, it is clear from the beginning that he has the potential for great success in the future. León is still raw, just like any other 17-year-old with limited professional playing experience, and he still has a lot to work on before making a significant move abroad.

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