Man Utd on verge of completing midfielder transfer alongside Ederson | Football | Sport

Manchester United are set to finalise the signing of teenage midfielder Cristian Orozco next month. Last year, United reached a preliminary agreement with Fortaleza CEIF stipulating that Orozco would put pen to paper in the summer window. Orozco cannot complete his move to Old Trafford until he reaches the age of 18, so despite the agreement being struck in September, he continued to represent Fortaleza CEIF for the remainder of the campaign.

The 17-year-old featured in 11 first-team squads this season, making two substitute appearances in Colombia’s top-flight, alongside two starts. Orozco was welcomed to Manchester back in December and given a tour of Carrington and Old Trafford, with the youngster’s visit also incorporating training sessions alongside United’s academy sides.

The defensive midfielder played a key role in helping Colombia reach the final of the U17 South American Championship last year and has been earmarked as an exciting prospect with genuine first-team potential.

Orozco will arrive in Manchester bearing a similar profile to Sekou Kone, who joined the academy from Malian club Guidars FC for approximately £1million during the 2024 summer transfer window.

Kone caught the eye of scouts while representing Mali at the Under-17 World Cup ahead of his switch to United. Orozco’s displays at the U17 South American Championship were equally impressive, which similarly drew United’s attention.

United have broadened their academy recruitment in recent years as a result of Brexit regulations, which bar them from signing players from Europe.

Diego Leon arrived from Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno last summer. United agreed a £3.3million fee, rising to £7m with add-ons, to secure the defender, though he failed to make his debut during his maiden season at the club.

Leon featured exclusively in academy matches this term. Meanwhile, Kone missed the opening half of the season through injury, before being sent out to INEOS-owned club FC Lausanne-Sport for the remainder of the campaign.

United’s recent pursuit of high-potential young players from overseas is widely regarded as a low-risk, high-reward strategy.