Manchester United signed 24-year-old striker for world-record fee of £122m as the superstar becomes the Reds most expensive signing in history.

Manchester United have put together a development plan for rising star Diego Leon, who is set to officially become a Red Devil in July, according to Manchester World.

The club’s focus isn’t only on signing top-tier talent for their immediate first-team needs; they’re also investing in promising young players from around the globe. United’s recent youth acquisitions, like Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi-Martin—both of whom arrived from Arsenal—highlight this strategy. These youngsters joined for modest fees and have already started making their presence felt around the senior squad.

Now, Diego Leon is next in line. The 18-year-old defender will join from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño on a five-year contract. Although the deal was agreed back in January, it was postponed until Leon came of age. The transfer fee could rise to as much as £7 million with performance-based add-ons.

Leon, who’s been praised for his exceptional speed—reportedly “lightning-quick” by Transfermarkt—has already completed his medical at Old Trafford. Rather than immediately loaning him out, Manchester United plan to keep him close and observe his progress during pre-season. This approach will allow new manager Rúben Amorim and the coaching staff to evaluate whether Leon is ready to train with the senior team or if he should gain experience elsewhere.

Though he lacks professional match experience at the top level, Leon’s versatility and raw pace make him a valuable long-term prospect. There’s a possibility he could travel with the squad to the U.S. for the pre-season tour, which would give him a chance to show what he can do against high-level opposition. A loan move hasn’t been ruled out completely, and United will make a final decision based on his performance and adaptability over the coming months.

Leon joins a growing list of youthful signings under the club’s restructured recruitment system, which is now guided by the INEOS-led model. Players like Ethan Wheatley, Willy Kambwala, Harry Amass, and Jack Fletcher are also being groomed under this strategy aimed at nurturing talent internally. The vision is clear: build a sustainable talent pipeline that supports the first team and creates potential for future profit through smart sales or long-term squad contributions.

Manchester United are clearly planning for the future, balancing marquee signings with calculated youth investments. In Diego Leon, they believe they’ve found another gem worth polishing.