Although the player wants to join Real Madrid, journalist Fabrizio Romano has told GIVEMESPORT that Manchester United and Lille have agreed on a fee of €50 million (£42 million) for the defender Leny Yoro. Yoro had a breakout season for Lille last year, making 44 appearances for Les Douges, despite only turning
18 months into the campaign. Numerous teams, including United and Real Madrid, are vying for the player’s signature as a result of this form.
While the Red Devils have began conversations with Yoro’s representatives over a move, Romano has disclosed that there is an agreement in place with Lille over the sum of money required for a deal to occur. However, Real Madrid remains the centre-back’s preferred destination, with United’s strong effort on the club side of negotiations an attempt to accelerate the deal.
Developing through Lille’s academy, Yoro burst onto the scene last season, establishing himself as an indispensable figure in the northern France side’s defence, as Paulo Fonseca’s men finished fourth in Ligue 1. These 32 top flight appearances were enough for the France under-21 international to become one of the most sought after defenders in Europe.
United are in the market for at least one centre-back, and may have turned their attentions to Yoro, after Everton rejected their second bid for Jarrad Branthwaite. Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Fabrizio provided more clarity around the north-west club’s pursuit of the teenager. The journalist said:
Although Yoro’s wish to sign with Real Madrid may ultimately make it more difficult for United to sign him, their deal with Lille offers them more room to pitch their proposal to the player. Erik ten Hag’s team can probably give Yoro a lot more playing time than Madrid can because they just want to improve on their eighth-place result from the previous campaign.
The Frenchman, dubbed a “world-class talent” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, would prove to be the less expensive option to Branthwaite that the Manchester United team has been longing for if personal conditions can be worked out.
Although Joshua Zirkzee’s transfer is rumoured to be “imminent,” United has also discussed the possibility of acquiring Ivan Toney and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Both players are nearing the end of their contracts and are expected to leave their current clubs this summer. Toney is valued at £40 million, having scored 21 goals for Brentford in the 2022–2023 season; Everton is requesting around £30 million for their star striker. It is unclear how a potential deal, in addition to Zirkzee, would effect Rasmus Hojlund, but it wouldn’t seem encouraging for the Dane, who is coming off the back of a disappointing debut season at Old Trafford.
