Transfer Centre

Liverpool, Man City, Barcelona keeping tabs on Lecce teenager Patrick Dorgu

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 24 June 2023

Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona are keeping tabs on Lecce's 18-year-old Danish left-back Patrick Dorgu, the player's agent reveals.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona are keeping tabs on Lecce teenage left-back Patrick Dorgu, the player's agent has revealed.

The 18-year-old Danish youngster spent the 2022-23 season on loan with the Italian outfit from Nordsjaelland, where he has gradually risen through the youth ranks.

Dorgu did not play a single minute for the Lecce senior team last season, but he starred in the Primavera 1 with four goals from 33 games for the juniors.

Dorgu's exploits from left-back were crucial in propelling Lecce to the Primavera title last season, and he will join the Italian club permanently for €200,000 (£172,000) on July 1.

The teenager is set to sign a four-year deal with Lecce and will be expected to earn opportunities in the first team next season, but his form at youth level has already attracted the interest of several top clubs.

General view inside Liverpool's Anfield Stadium before the match on January 9, 2022 © Reuters

Speaking to Danish outlet bold.dk, Dorgu's representative Kingsley Ogbodo revealed that Liverpool would be interested in a deal for his client, while Manchester City and Barcelona are also monitoring his progress.

However, Ogbodo confessed that he has told Dorgu to snub a move to Liverpool, as he would initially start out in the Reds' academy squads whereas he would be offered a quicker route into the first team with Lecce.

"Liverpool want him. Liverpool have been watching him and interested in him for some time, but if he goes there he will have to play in the U23 team," Ogbodo said.

"It's not the best for him, so I advise him not to do it. They can offer him a lot of money, but that's not what we're looking for right now.

"We focus on his career, development and playing time. Liverpool is of course not the only club that wants him. There are many clubs here in England who are keeping an eye on him.

Curtis Jones celebrates scoring for Liverpool on May 15, 2023 © Reuters

"Manchester City kept an eye on him when he played against England for the U19 national team in Hobro in Denmark. Lecce's scout has also told me that Barcelona is also keeping an eye on Patrick, because he is a huge talent."

A Denmark Under-19 international, Dorgu has come up with two goals and one assist in five games for his nation from the left-back position, but his efforts were not enough to see Denmark qualify for the Under-19 Euro 2023 finals.

Andrew Robertson has fended off the challenge of Kostas Tsimikas to remain Liverpool's first-choice left-back under Jurgen Klopp, and the 29-year-old set up 11 goals in 43 matches last term.

Robertson remains contracted to Liverpool until 2026, while Tsimikas's deal runs for another two years, and the latter recently shot down talk of a possible exit from the Reds to Gazzetta despite his lack of starts.