Lille president breaks silence on Manchester United target

Manchester United have been linked with a swoop for Lille defender Leny Yoro. The 18-year-old has been impressing in Ligue 1 and is wanted by a number of other clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain.

The 18-year-old is expected to be in demand this summer after PSG were unable to strike a deal with Lille during the January transfer window.

Lille president Olivier Letang has left the door open for Yoro to leave – but with the young defender’s contract expiring in 2025 it’s not like they have any other choice.

“Leny, we have had discussions with him for several years because a career is built and a player is developed in different areas,” Letang said, as per Canal Supporters.

“We are very attracted to the human aspect, so we have a lot of exchanges, but it is not recent. There was a lot of excitement, I found, from the outside environment, while Leny and I were always very calm because it was clear and there was no possibility of departure.

“I spoke with very, very big clubs who called us. The positions have always been apparent. There have never been any proposals or sums mentioned on our side because, for us, it was clear that Leny would stay with us until the end of the season.”

A number of Premier League clubs are thought to be interested in Yoro, but at least United are expected to shake up their defensive department. Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire should all be replaced with younger players in the summer.

It will be interested to see whether United make a formal offer for Yoro in the summer.

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