4 months ago
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Liverpool have pulled out of the race to sign Manchester United and Real Madrid transfer target Leny Yoro, according to reports.
Despite only making 46 league appearances for Lille, Yoro is already regarded as one of the most exciting and talented defenders in Europe.
A tall and commanding centre-back, Yoro has attracted substantial interest from Champions League holders Real Madrid and Premier League giants Manchester United.
Liverpool were considering rivalling Madrid and United for a summer deal but The Athletic say they have ‘backed off’ after learning of the 18-year-old’s desire to move to the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid are Yoro’s top choice this summer but Manchester United have not been overly deterred and are still chasing the teenager.
Erik ten Hag is ready to sign a new centre-back after Raphael Varane left Old Trafford at the end of last season, while 19-year-old Willy Kambwala has been sold to Villarreal despite impressing briefly last term.
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof could also leave Manchester this summer if the club receive suitable offers.
Manchester United have made two offers for England defender Jarrad Branthwaite but both were immediately rejected by Everton, who value the 22-year-old at around £75m.
Ten Hag has shown interest in bringing his former Ajax player Matthijs de Ligt to the Theatre of Dreams but could prioritise Yoro if it is indicated that the youngster would join United over Madrid.
Ex-Manchester United striker Louis Saha would welcome Yoro’s arrival at his former club but says they may need to offer more money than Real Madrid to strike a deal.
‘That’s the position Manchester United are in right now because they’re not in the Champions League and Real Madrid are the holders of it,’ Saha told Betfred.
‘It’s as simple as that. There are factors that attract players and sometimes you need to look at your trajectory and chances of progression.
‘That will be part of Yoro’s decision, but it won’t stop him dreaming about playing for other clubs.
‘Manchester United may not be in the Champions League this season, but we could be in a strong position in two or three years time, so anything can change.
‘I definitely see a better structure at Manchester United and this is something that Yoro could be aware of and on the table for him to consider, so hopefully he can make the right decision.’
On Yoro’s price-tag, Saha added: ‘The reasons behind why he’d cost this much is because of the current market, his age, potential and the fact he’s been linked with a lot of other big clubs.
‘He’s definitely a good player that has the capacity to improve and he’s only 18 so he’ll bulk up and he’ll enjoy the Premier League if he joins.
‘He’s a really, really strong prospect and I’m sure I’m not the only person that feels this way because I heard Rio Ferdinand speaking about him positively the other day.
‘Rio was a centre-back himself, so that’s a good indication that the player is worth his price-tag.’
As Saha says, Manchester United legend Ferdinand has repeatedly urged his old club to secure a deal for Yoro.
‘This is a huge, huge summer for Manchester United,’ Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel before Euro 2024. ‘It’s a huge transfer window.
‘They need to recruit well, they need to recruit better. That’s been one of the poorest elements at the club in recent years.
‘They’ve got to get a fit Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez back and playing more regularly next season. Get them two fit and then you need to buy another centre-back, definitely.
‘Do we go for experience or a young one? Leny Yoro is the young lad from France, Lille. I think he’s top, he has huge potential and could be anything.
‘I don’t think Real Madrid are going to be in the market for a centre-back so I think he’s there ready to be taken and I would take him now. You would get a good five or ten years out of him.’
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