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It seems inevitable that Manchester United will sign a new centre-back this summer, and the question now is simple: who?
Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite appears to be the first choice, but there is still a huge difference in the valuations of the two clubs. OGC Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo appears to have been ruled out due to UEFA rules on transfers in multi-club ownership situations, while generational talent Leni Lloro has reportedly committed his future to Real Madrid and agreed personal terms. LOSC’s contract with Lille expires next summer.
But as transfer expert Fabrizio Romano pointed out in his daily briefing today, United have clearly not given up on Yoro.
Romano wrote:
“I can reveal that United have called Lille again about Lenny Yoro in the last 24-48 to make all parties aware of their interest.
“Lolo himself is pushing for Real Madrid and Liverpool and PSG are also interested, but United have made it clear they want to be in talks in case a deal with Real Madrid falls through.
“Now it’s Real Madrid. If they want to do what it takes to get the deal done, then Yoro will go there because that’s his preferred destination.”
It’s interesting that Romano doesn’t go so far as to say that he would refuse to allow Yoro to move to another club if Madrid don’t come knocking.
The Merengues have their own financial constraints this year and are reportedly not keen on meeting Lille’s asking price for the Ural, estimated to be in excess of €60 million. About half of those figures were discussed.
Meanwhile, news of Nacho’s departure to Qatar this week leaves Los Blancos with a defensive void to fill and it’s no secret they would like to get their hands on the 18-year-old.
Madrid could try to use the same tactics they used to bring in players like Kylian Mbappe and David Alaba on free transfers. He is asking Yoro to find out the final year of his contract. But Lille are not Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich and cannot afford to let one of their biggest assets leave the club for nothing.
With it highly unlikely that Yoro will sign an extension, Lille will be desperate to sell the team.
If Madrid do not make a move this summer and the player can be persuaded to look elsewhere, United still have work to do, with Liverpool also keen to find a successor to Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their defence.
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