LENY YORO TRAVELS FOR MANCHESTER UNITED MEDICAL AND TO FINALISE TERMS AHEAD OF PROPOSED TRANSFER
Leny Yoro is flying to the UK to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms as Manchester United push to secure a huge coup by signing the coveted centre-back from Lille.
An agreement between the clubs on an initial €62million (£52m; $67.9m) fee was reached last week — however Yoro still needed to accept the switch.His original preference was to join Real Madrid but they have so far shown no indication of paying the price that United and Lille settled on.
That led the Ligue 1 side to strongly favour a deal with United for Yoro, who they would rather sell this summer than risk losing him as a free agent when his existing contract expires in June 2025.The 18-year-old France youth international has warmed to the idea of moving to Old Trafford and the latest developments are a major step forward in the situation, but there is still work to be done.
If all goes to plan, United will secure their primary target to bolster in defence and a player regarded across the game as being a generational talent.Regardless, United persisted and while the door has remained ajar they applied intensive efforts to lure him to the north west of England. Barring a late and unexpected turn of events, that mission is now close to coming to fruition.
Yoro similarities to Van Dijk
Analysis by By Anantaajith Raghuraman Yoro is a throwback defender in some respects, due to his tendency to operate as the last man in Lille’s defence.
While he stays deeper, Yoro is agile and reads danger well, akin to Liverpool’s centre-back and captain Virgil van Dijk.Given his age and the areas he typically occupies on the pitch, it is not surprising that Yoro tends to err on the side of caution with both his passing and ball carrying.
The advantage he brings is that he has the qualities needed to step into the starting XI but can also be developed for a season before becoming a full-time first-choice.Leny Yoro is set to undergo a medical and finalize personal terms with Manchester United as they close in on the signing of the highly-rated centre-back from Lille. United reached an agreement with Lille for an initial fee of €62 million (£52 million) last week, although Yoro initially preferred a move to Real Madrid. However, Real Madrid did not match United’s offer, leading Lille to favor a deal with United to avoid losing Yoro as a free agent when his contract expires in June 2025. The 18-year-old France youth international has now warmed to the idea of moving to Old Trafford.
Yoro is viewed as a generational talent and United’s primary target to bolster their defense. His playing style is reminiscent of Virgil van Dijk, as he operates as the last man in defense, stays deeper, and is agile with a keen ability to read danger. Though cautious with his passing and ball carrying, Yoro has the qualities to step into the starting XI and can be developed further before becoming a full-time first-choice defender. If everything proceeds as planned, United will secure a significant coup by signing Yoro.
