Man Utd finalise next transfer as paperwork sealed and fee emerges for new midfielder

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign 17-year-old midfielder Cristian Orozco from Fortaleza CEIF, with the club having identified him as an exciting young talent

Manchester United have finalised the paperwork to secure the transfer of 17-year-old midfielder Cristian Orozco, it has been claimed.

Orozco, who plays for Fortaleza CEIF and has captained Colombia’s Under-17 team, is set to join the Red Devils. The Manchester Evening News reported last week that a preliminary agreement had been reached to sign the young talent.

Recognised as a promising prospect with potential to break into the first team, Orozco is the latest youth player targeted by United. It’s understood he won’t make the move to Old Trafford until his 18th birthday next year.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that all details are now signed and sealed to finalise Orozco’s deal, with the fee set at $1million (£741,000). The journalist claims that United’s legal team have given the green light to the paperwork and the midfielder will relocate to England next summer.

Orozco is expected to arrive at Old Trafford with a profile similar to Sekou Kone. Kone 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 impressive. Due to Brexit-related regulations, United’s focus on academy signings has broadened in recent years.

These rules prevent them from signing players from European clubs, leading to increased scouting efforts in other continents. In January, a £3.3m deal, potentially rising to £7m with add-ons, was agreed with Cerro Porteno to sign Diego Leon.

Leon made the move to Carrington in the summer and has already caught the eye of the coaching staff. He spent pre-season training with Ruben Amorim and the first team, but is yet to make his debut.

United are next in action when they host Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday. The Red Devils will be hoping to return to winning ways after last weekend’s disappointing defeat at 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.”