Exclusive: Liverpool & Manchester United continuing talks over potential centre-back transfer
Liverpool and Manchester United are both still in talks over a potential transfer move for Lille centre-back Leny Yoro, though he prefers Real Madrid as his next destination.
Sources with a close understanding of Yoro’s situation have informed CaughtOffside that the 18-year-old is a top target for both Liverpool and Man Utd, with both clubs still working on a deal.
CaughtOffside understands that Liverpool are prepared to give Yoro a long-term contract and an annual salary worth €6-7million, while United will hold further discussions over this deal later this month. Lille will likely push for a total package worth around €50m for Yoro, but need to sell this summer as he’s in the final year of his contract.
Yoro, however, seems clear in his desire to join Real Madrid, while Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in his situation, so this might not be a straightforward deal for the Premier League giants, as much as they may want to lure the Frenchman to England.
Yoro transfer: Can the Lille wonderkid be Liverpool’s long-term Virgil van Dijk successor?
Liverpool look in need of a top young defender this summer as Virgil van Dijk isn’t getting any younger, and there are few players in world football who look better equipped than Yoro to be a defensive leader for a top club for the next few years, or possibly even the next decade or more.
Yoro is clearly very highly regarded in world football and it would be some statement by LFC if they could get this deal done and give themselves a world class young talent to build around for the long term.
It’s not going to be easy for new Reds boss Arne Slot as he replaces Jurgen Klopp next season, so a good transfer window is surely essential for the club this summer.
United would also do well to land a top talent like Yoro as they surely need a top young defender like this to replace the departing Raphael Varane, while Harry Maguire is also surely not a long-term option.
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