Premier League club feels Man United are overpaying for defensive target

Manchester United are edging closer to completing the signing of Lille defender Leny Yoro.

As reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic, the young defender is set to fly to the UK to complete his medical ahead of a promising move.

The Red Devils have targeted moves for Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Ligue 1 talent Yoro.

They are now close to winning the race against Real Madrid to sign the defender, solving a key issue faced by the squad in the defensive position.

According to Manchester Evening News, Everton officials feel Man United are overpaying to sign the young French defender.

Man United’s deal to sign Yoro will cost the club an initial €50m plus €12m of add-ons.

The Red Devils had two bids rejected for Everton defender Branthwaite, in the region of £43million and £50m.

The Toffees feel that Man United are paying over the odds for a defender who is three years younger than Branthwaite and less experienced that the Everton centre-back.

Yoro has entered the final year of his contract at the French club and Everton feel United are paying a lot of money for a defender who will become a free agent in twelve months.

Man United desperately needed a new defender

After the departure of Raphael Varane this summer, a centre-back was the club’s priority.

Having reached an agreement with the player and his club, Yoro is close to joining Joshua Zirkzee as part of new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans to rebuild the club.

Everton value Branthwaite at £70m-£80m and with the Red Devils now signing Yoro for a huge amount, the Toffees are about to make it difficult for United to sign the English defender.

With two signings in the bag now, a move for Bayern defender Matthijs de Ligt is now looking highly likely.