“Stupidly stubborn” – Lecce president reveals how INEOS forced him to sell Patrick Dorgu

Lecce president Sticchi Damiani explains how Manchester United managed to convince him to sell Patrick Dorgu.

The Red Devils had a relatively quiet January transfer session, but at least they splashed £30 million to sign the 20-year-old Dane who arrives to reinforce the club’s left flank. The youngster replaces Tyrell Malacia who signed for PSV Eindhoven on loan.

However, finding an agreement with Lecce was no easy feat for the Red Devils, as the Serie A minnows were keen to maintain the services of their most prized asset at least until the end of the season.

But while the Giallorossi were hoping to convince the English giants to delay the operation until the summer, INEOS were having none of it, bluntly telling their counterparts that it was either now or never, thus forcing the Italians’ hand.

“We said several times that Dorgu would not leave in January, and now I will explain why the opposite happened,” said Damiani via 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.