€50m bid rejected, Manchester United will have to pay €60m to sign French star
Liverpool’s failed bid keeps Manchester United very much alive in the race to sign Leny Yoro REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
Manchester United remain very much alive in the race to sign French sensation Leny Yoro, according to reports.
With Raphael Varane leaving, Jonny Evans past his prime, and persistent injury concerns plaguing Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire, it is clear that the Red Devils need to bring in reinforcements at centre-back.
Accordingly, the Mancunian giants have identified Lille’s Leny Yoro as one of their prime defensive targets, and for good reason.
The 18-year-old started 30 of Lille’s Ligue 1 matches last season, during which the 190-cm-tall athlete won 65% aerial duels and 63% total duels. He also achieved 92% passing accuracy, displaying the sort of ball-playing calibre that Erik ten Hag values in his defenders.
Naturally, such impressive displays ended up attracting interest not just from United, but several other European powerhouses as well—including their arch-rivals, Liverpool.
Manchester United may have to splash €60m for Leny Yoro
According to a recent Mundo Deportivo report, the Merseyside giants made a €50m bid for the Frenchman, only to see it rejected.
Instead, Lille are demanding at least €60m for their prized asset. Interestingly, this is the same amount Manchester United had offered Les Dogues for Yoro back in May, if reports by Marca are to be believed.
The situation has since evolved, no doubt. But the Old Trafford outfit still have a decent chance of winning this transfer race, provided they make minor improvements to their original offer.
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While this would take out a significant chunk of United’s transfer budget, it could be worth it considering the magnitude of returns someone of Yoro’s talent and age would deliver.
The Mancunians may have to act quickly, however. Aside from Liverpool, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also rumoured to be hovering around the defensive prodigy, and the fact that they aren’t financially limited may not bode well for the English parties.