Manchester United target Patrick Dorgu has admitted to being keen on a Premier League transfer – despite confessing to something that might put off Red Devils fans.
Dorgu is a self-confessed Chelsea fan, having revealed: "I have been a Chelsea fan for many years". But he isn't ruling out a move to a rival club.
The Athletic reports that the Red Devils are negotiating with Serie A's Lecce for the 20 year old's services this January. However, United have been warned that Dorgu is unlikely to leave Lecce this winter, as the Italian club look to hold onto him until the end of the season. Lecce's sporting director, Pantaleo Corvino, has previously rejected the idea he could leave the club before the summer.
With a need to offload before they onboard new faces at Old Trafford, talks are heating up for a potential deal, although the clubs haven't shaken hands just yet. Last month, Corvino told Gazzetta dello Sport: "A player like him has admirers, of course, and there are plenty of them, even abroad.
"But Dorgu will stay here, and then we’ll talk about it in the summer, because his destiny is already set – his future belongs to him."
Dorgu, tied down to Lecce until 2028, caught eyes last summer – particularly Chelsea's – stirring talk about his future, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In an April confession to Danish media Flashscore, Dorgu expressed his long-held dream to don Chelsea blue. But he highlighted that his allegiance wouldn’t stop him from joining another top-flight squad.
"I don't spend that much time on it," Dorgu said about the rumours, adding: "There are always rumours and my agent has been approached, but right now I am under contract in Lecce and then we'll see what happens.
"I have been a Chelsea fan for many years, so of course it's clear that it is a dream. That's not to say I can't switch to other teams in the Premier League, but even if things aren't going so well for them right now, they're my team."
Dorgu has been a regular feature for Lecce in the Serie A this season, missing only one game due to suspension. He's netted three goals and provided an assist so far.
The club is currently just above the relegation zone, sitting 16th in the league table. Their next match is a home game against Inter Milan on Sunday, with a 5pm kick-off.