Manchester United and Liverpool want to sign Lille’s young star Leny Yoro, but Real Madrid is leading the race to get the 18-year-old defender.
Yoro is seen as one of the top young stars in Europe, key to Lille’s strong defense.
Last season, they were in the third spot for conceding least goals in Ligue 1. Lille’s boss, Olivier Letang, said Yoro might leave this summer as he does not want to stay longer. His contract ends next year.
While Paris Saint-Germain has also expressed interest, Yoro reportedly favors a move to Real Madrid, who have long admired him but have yet to make a formal bid.
The Athletic reports that Liverpool and Manchester United, alongside PSG, have made concrete approaches to secure Yoro’s signature, hoping to capitalize on Real Madrid’s hesitancy.
Despite the belief that Real will eventually make a move for him, Yoro’s exceptional potential has prompted other top clubs to vie for his services.
Real Madrid has extensively scouted Yoro, considering him a ‘generational talent’ with the potential to bolster their squad significantly.
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However, negotiations have been hampered by Lille’s initial valuation of €100 million, which has deterred immediate progress.
Both Liverpool and Manchester United view Yoro as an opportunistic signing if Real Madrid decides against pursuing him further, rather than a centerpiece of their transfer plans.
For Manchester United, the pursuit of Yoro aligns with their strategy to strengthen their defensive options.
Along with looking at Yoro, the club is also eyeing Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton as a possible pick. Financial issues are key in United’s choice-making as they try to spread their spending evenly on different spots in the team.
Liverpool also wants Yoro for their side, wanting to boost their back line with young stars who can handle the Premier League’s tough competition.
The club’s plan shows their goal to build a team ready to fight for top spots in EPL as well as Champions League in the next season.
As negotiations unfold, both Manchester United and Liverpool remain optimistic about their chances of convincing Yoro to join them, despite the allure of Real Madrid.
The competition for his signature underscores his status as one of the most sought-after young defenders in European football, with his decision expected to shape the defensive strategies of several top clubs ahead of the new season.
