4 months ago
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Leny Yoro has lifted the lid on why he chose to sign for Manchester United instead of Real Madrid.
United faced stiff competition from Madrid in the race to capture the highly-rated French teenager from Lille.
The 18-year-old was also linked with Paris St-Germain and Liverpool but the Red Devils confirmed yesterday they’d sealed a deal for around £52million plus add-ons.
Yoro has signed a five-year contract with the option of a further 12-month extension and becomes Erik ten Hag’s second signing of the summer transfer window.
In his first interview with his new club, the young centre-back revealed why he opted to come to Manchester instead of joining the Spanish giants, which was previously thought to be his preferred move.
He explained that United’s ‘history’ and the ‘clear plan’ they’ve set out for his development played a crucial role in his decision.
‘Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour,’ he said.
‘Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and showed a lot of care for me and my family.
‘I know about the history of young players at Manchester United and feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new team-mates. I cannot wait to get started.’
It’s also understood that Real’s preference was to sign Yoro on a free transfer when his contract expired next summer but Lille were keen to secure a sizeable fee for the youngster, which likely helped United’s cause.
Real refused to get drawn into a bidding war and the highest offer they’d tabled was around £16m (€20m), while they also weren’t willing to go above £33m (€40m).
Yoro was one of Europe’s most sought after players going into the transfer window after he was named in the Ligue 1 team of the season.
He played 32 league games last season, scoring twice and helping keep 15 clean sheets on the way to securing a fourth-placed finish.
Lille also reached the quarter-final stage of the Europa Conference League before they were knocked out on penalties by Aston Villa.
‘Leny is one of the most exciting young defenders in world football,’ said Manchester United’s sporting director Dan Ashworth.
‘He possesses every attribute needed to develop into a top-class centre-back.
‘Having had such an excellent start to his career, we are excited to support him in reaching his immense potential here at Manchester United.
‘This club has a fantastic record of developing young players, whether homegrown or brought in from elsewhere, and giving them the required guidance, time and patience to grow and flourish.
‘Under Erik ten Hag and our excellent staff we will ensure that Leny has the perfect platform to achieve the success that everyone across the club is aiming for.’
Defensive reinforcements are a priority for United this summer after Raphael Varane left at the end of his contract and Willy Kambwala has joined Villarreal on a permanent deal.
Harry Maguire’s future at the club is in doubt, as is Victor Lindelof’s with United looking to overhaul their backline.
Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt are also on the radar, but any more signings at centre-back will likely require more players to leave.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has already given his seal of approval on United’s new young star, while it also emerged that a club legend played a key role in getting the deal over the line.
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