Manchester United appear set to beat Real Madrid to the signing of one of Europe’s brightest young defenders.
Lille centre-back Leny Yoro looks to be joining Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils in this transfer window. Widespread reports on July 17 indicated he was heading to England for a medical as United attempted to wrap up a deal as quickly as possible.
Yoro is expected to sign a five-year deal with the Old Trafford club, despite having looked likely to join the Spanish and European champions following an impressive 2023/24 season in Ligue 1.
Here is everything you need to know about United’s imminent new signings, including his style of play and how much he will cost.
MORE: How Man United’s first preseason game of 2024 ended in disappointment — and anger for Ten Hag
Who is Leny Yoro? Position and style of play
Yoro is a right-footed centre-back who progressed through the Lille youth system before making his first-team debut in 2016.
His appearance in a 3-1 Ligue 1 win over Nice in May 2022 saw him become the second-youngest Lille player in history at the age of 16 years, six months and one day. Only Joel Depraeter-Henry (16 years, three months, 29 days) played for the club at a younger age.
Yoro has already played 60 times for Lille in all competitions, scoring three goals. He played in all but two of Lille’s league matches in 2023/24 as they finished fourth, earning a shot at UEFA Champions League qualification.
He is an accomplished central defender, whose height make him an imposing figure in either penalty area. Among defenders to play at least 30 games in Ligue 1 in 2023/24, Yoro boasted the fourth-best duel success rate (62.7 per cent), while only three defenders in the competition were dribbled past on fewer occasions than Yoro’s 14.
Leny Yoro transfer fee: What are Manchester United paying?
It was widely reported in July that Lille accepted a transfer bid of €62 million (£52 million / $67.8 million) for Yoro from Manchester United. The initial fee is €50m, with the rest due in possible add-ons.
The French club are said to have been keen to see the deal go through to avoid losing Yoro on a free transfer in 2025, when his contract at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium ran until.
The deal would put Yoro just outside the top 10 of United’s most expensive signings. He would become their second priciest defender behind Harry Maguire, who joined for £80m from Leicester City in 2019.
United have had to tread carefully in 2024 in order to toe the line of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. However, the combined sales of Willy Kambwala, Donny van de Beek and Alvaro Fernandez should earn the Red Devils at least half of the initial Yoro fee, and further outgoings are expected, meaning the cost of the transfer should be covered.
Did Real Madrid want to sign Leny Yoro?
Real Madrid were long linked with Yoro and for a time it seemed likely that he would move to the Santiago Bernabeu. The European champions are said to have earmarked the player as a long-term replacement for Nacho, who left for the Saudi Pro League after the end of the 2023/24 season.
However, ESPN reported that Madrid were eager not to engage in a bidding war with other clubs for Yoro. Indeed, Los Blancos are said to have been reluctant to match United’s offer for a player who would be available to sign on a free transfer in a year’s time.
This enabled United to strike a deal with Lille, who were understandably eager to cash in on Yoro rather than risk losing him for nothing.
Leny Yoro height
Yoro’s height is around 1.9 metres, which is a little under six feet and three inches.
His imposing stature is part of the reason he was fast-tracked into the first team at Lille at such a young age.
Where is Leny Yoro from?
Yoro was born in Saint-Maurice, a suburb of Paris, France, in November 2005. He joined Lille’s youth system after his family moved to the city.
Yoro has played for France at youth level, including for the Under-21s. He was called up to the squad for this year’s Olympic Games in Paris but was withheld by his club due to their UEFA Champions League qualifying commitments.
He is eligible to play for the Ivory Coast at senior level through his father.
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