Manchester United are on the verge of bolstering their central defense with the signing of 18-year-old Leny Yoro from Lille. A reported £52 million fee has been agreed upon, with Yoro expected to undergo a medical in Manchester.
This move comes after United faced competition from several top European clubs, including Real Madrid, for the highly-rated defender. Yoro, who debuted for Lille at 16, has already impressed scouts with his performances in Ligue 1.
Yoro’s arrival is seen as a much-needed addition to solidify United’s central defense. While bids were made for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt, those pursuits seem to be on hold for now. United reportedly value Branthwaite at less than Everton’s asking price, and signing both him and de Ligt seems unlikely.
The need for defensive reinforcements is clear. Raphael Varane’s departure leaves a gap, and Victor Lindelof’s contract situation adds uncertainty. Harry Maguire remains, but United are actively seeking defensive solutions.
This signing follows the arrival of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna last week. With the departure of defender Willy Kambwala to Villarreal, United’s squad is undergoing a period of transition, with a focus on bolstering the backline.
