Cristian Orozco, the highly-rated teenage midfielder from Colombian club Fortaleza FC, is poised to complete his transfer to Manchester United after a medical was booked. The Red Devils reached a pre-contract agreement with Orozco last year, and he is now set to join the club when he turns 18 this summer.
Orozco Travels to UK for Medical
Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra reported that Orozco traveled to the UK on Sunday, accompanied by Manchester United's lead scout in South America, Giuseppe Antonaccio. The player will undergo a medical ahead of being officially announced as a United player, likely around his 18th birthday on July 13.
Following the announcement, Orozco is expected to join United's Under-21s squad on their pre-season tour of Germany under head coach Adam Lawrence. According to the Manchester Evening News, Orozco will be assessed upon arrival but is likely to stay at United next season to acclimatize to his new surroundings, rather than being sent out on loan immediately.
Similar Approach to Other Young Signings
Manchester United have taken a similar approach with other youngsters signed from overseas in recent times, including Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon and Malian midfielder Sekou Kone, who spent the second half of last season in Switzerland with Lausanne-Sport. Orozco is one of the top young talents in Colombian football and captained his country to the final of the South American Under-17 Championship on home soil last year, where they lost to Brazil.
Midfield Overhaul Under Carrick
Orozco is not expected to be considered for the first-team squad initially under manager Michael Carrick. United are plotting a midfield overhaul this summer, with Casemiro departing the club at the end of his contract as he prepares to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. A £37million deal was struck in May with Serie A club Atalanta for Ederson, whose move was delayed after a late call-up to Brazil's World Cup squad.
United are said to be battling Tottenham for the signing of Mateus Fernandes following West Ham's relegation from the Premier League and have also been linked with Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, Adam Scott, and Aurelien Tchouameni. Meanwhile, England's Elliot Anderson will join rivals Manchester City from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £116m.
Manuel Ugarte may have been sold this summer to make room for another midfield signing, but he is now facing a significant period on the sidelines after suffering a knee ligament injury with Uruguay at the World Cup. United striker Rasmus Hojlund has completed a permanent £38m move to Napoli after an obligation in his loan was triggered by Champions League qualification, while Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia have both been released.
Carrick's predecessor, Ruben Amorim, being appointed as the new head coach at AC Milan has already seen a number of players linked with transfers to the San Siro, including Mason Mount and Amad Diallo. Young striker Chido Obi has also been rumored to be in talks over a loan switch to Bundesliga side Cologne.
