Manchester United is purportedly contemplating a prospective acquisition of Lille defender Leny Yoro during the upcoming summer transfer window, following the dispatch of scouts to monitor the 18-year-old player. Yoro, who ascended to Lille’s senior squad in the latter half of the preceding season, has since solidified his position as a regular starter under the stewardship of head coach Paulo Fonseca in the current term.
In the 2023-24 season, Yoro has accumulated a total of 33 appearances for Les Dogues across various competitions, with 23 starts in Ligue 1. Additionally, he has contributed two goals and played a pivotal role in securing 14 clean sheets in Ligue 1 matches, aiding Lille’s ascent to the top four, a mere point behind the Champions League positions.
Standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall, the center-back is approaching the final 18 months of his contract with the French club and has attracted interest from several prominent European teams ahead of the summer transfer window. Earlier this year, Real Madrid purportedly initiated contact with Lille regarding a potential transfer for Yoro in preparation for the 2024-25 campaign.
Notable Premier League clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea, alongside Ligue 1 powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain, have also demonstrated interest in the highly touted young talent.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, writing for CaughtOffside, Manchester United is among the contenders vying for Yoro’s services, with the club deploying scouts to monitor the defender’s performance. However, Romano notes that Manchester United is currently in the process of restructuring its board following the recent acquisition of a minority stake by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and as a result, summer transfer plans have been temporarily shelved.
Ratcliffe’s acquisition of 27.7% of Manchester United was formally announced last month, with the British billionaire appointing INEOS colleagues Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, as well as former Manchester City executive Omar Berrada, to collaborate on the club’s board. The recruitment of a new sporting director and head of recruitment ranks high on Ratcliffe’s agenda, with Dan Ashworth and Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman reportedly among the primary targets.
Should Manchester United opt to intensify their pursuit of Yoro, Romano suggests that the player’s acquisition will come at a significant cost, as Lille President Olivier Letang is expected to stipulate his asking price in May.
Erik ten Hag’s team is anticipated to delve into the summer transfer market for a new central defender, given the uncertainty surrounding the contractual statuses of Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, and Jonny Evans. While Varane and Evans are nearing the end of their contracts, Maguire has 18 months remaining on his deal, with Manchester United purportedly open to offers for the English international.