Manchester United are close to beating Real Madrid in the race to sign Lille teenager Leny Yoro.
United have had an offer worth €62m (£52m) accepted for the 18-year-old, who is flying the UK to undergo a medical and negotiate personal terms.
Yoro’s preference had been a transfer to Real Madrid amid interest from the European Champions but the Spanish side have been reluctant to match United’s offer for a player whose contract expires in 2025.
Lille had urged Yoro to move to Manchester United due to the finances involved and the Red Devils have taken a huge step towards signing the defender.
Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool had also expressed interest in Yoro before withdrawing due to the player’s preference for Real Madrid, but Manchester United now look set to win the race after persisting with their pursuit.
Yoro made 44 appearances in all competitions for Lille last season and was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season for 2023-24. United made the France u-21 international a priority signing in their search for a central defender, in addition to interest in Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
Erik ten Hag’s team remain interested in that defensive duo, though The Athletic are reporting any deals will depend on funds raised through sales. Yoro is set to become the club’s second signing of the summer after the €42m arrival of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.
