‘The current expectation’: Ornstein drops bombshell regarding United’s pursuit of three priority targets

The ever-reliable transfer expert David Ornstein has provided Manchester United fans with an update on the club’s centre-half pursuit.

As it stands, the three names most heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford are Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Jarrad Branthwaite – the latter of which they’ve already had two separate bids rejected after failing to meet Everton’s demands, and the Toffees now have no compelling reason to sell after sanctioning Amadou Onana’s move to Aston Villa.

United remain locked in negotiations for De Ligt, who is keen to reunite with his former coach Erik ten Hag. At the same time, they’ve had a €50 million (£42m) offer for Yoro accepted by Lille, although the 18-year-old star is holding out for his dream move to Real Madrid.

The European giants are unwilling to pay high for the teenager, given that he becomes a free agent in 12 months. It’s thought that Yoro would be open to seeing out the final year of his contract to then complete his desired switch to the Santiago Bernabeu, but – unwilling to lose him for nothing – Lille are encouraging him to accept United’s proposal.

Read more: Sky Sports – United plot brutal hijack of Bayern’s priority target that could have ramifications in De Ligt pursuit

What Ornstein has said this morning

Ornstein revealed, via The Athletic: “The current expectation is they [United] would recruit one or the other [De Ligt or Yoro] as opposed to both.”

“Given a deal for De Ligt looks relatively straightforward if United choose to proceed, at present they seem to be prioritising Yoro and exploring whether the Frenchman can be convinced to join them rather than hold out for Real Madrid,” he adds.

“Yoro’s first choice is Madrid, but they are yet to show any indication of paying the level of fee that Lille have accepted from United, which has led the Ligue 1 club to favour doing business with their Premier League counterparts.”