Lecce chief reveals brutal three-word message Man Utd sent them to force through Patrick Dorgu transfer
Lecce president Saverio Sticchi Damiani says Manchester United forced the Serie A minnows into selling Patrick Dorgu as a three-word ultimatum was given.
Man United completed the signing of Dorgu from Lecce in a deal worth £30 million during the January transfer window.
He became Ruben Amorim's first major signing and the left-back could make his debut tonight when the Red Devils host Leicester City in the FA Cup.
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Man United fought tooth and nail to acquire Dorgu's services during the winter market as they issued Lecce an ultimatum amid talks over his transfer.
Lecce were reluctant to sell their prized asset midway through the season and hoped to delay the deal until the summer.
But Man United insisted the transfer had to happen immediately, with Damiani revealing the Premier League giants relayed a 'now or never' ultimatum.
"We said several times that Dorgu would not leave in January, and now I will explain why the opposite happened," he told TuttoMercatoWeb.
"Then Manchester United arrived, who made themselves heard with us and with the lad’s entourage. We told them that we had no intention of letting Dorgu leave in January. We didn’t talk about figures, nor ask for increases. But instead of stopping United, this approach had the opposite effect.
"They insisted," the Lecce chief added. "We asked several times to postpone everything until the summer, also promising the young man that he would not miss the opportunity. For us too it was a historic step, we just wanted to do it in July.
"The Premier League communicated to us their desire, the club and its coach, to make an immediate deal. There was an ultimatum, now or never. They also told the player the same.
"You cannot blame Dorgu. Imagine you’re 20 and Manchester United knocks on your door with such an offer. The combination of these factors led us to think that we would have gone from being consistent to being stupidly stubborn."
Dorgu has played 23 games across all competitions this season and provides an option at left-back, which has proved to be a problematic position for Man United amid Luke Shaw's injury woes.
He can't wait to work with Amorim and believes Old Trafford is the 'perfect place' to fulfil his potential.
“I cannot wait to work with Ruben Amorim; his vision for this team and the future of the club is incredibly exciting," he told the club's official website. "There is a clear plan set out for my development, and I feel that Manchester United is the perfect place to fulfil my potential and complete my huge ambitions."
Nasir Jabbar