Manchester United are growing increasingly confident of signing Leny Yoro from Lille for a fee of €50 million.
The Red Devils have had their offer accepted by the French club today, July 9, 2024, with personal terms said to be the only factor stalling the move.
Lille insist that Yoro should accept Manchester United’s offer as it’s the best proposal they have on their table.
Reports indicate that Leny Yoro prefers to join Real Madrid and as such, he is not fascinated by the idea of moving to Old Trafford.
According to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid view Leny Yoro’s deal as a similar one to that of Eduardo Camavinga with Rennes in 2021.
Real Madrid are happy to wait until the deal is done on their terms, or they will be happy to sign Yoro as a free agent in 2025.
Who Is Leny Yoro?
Leny Yoro is a young prodigy, who has been touted to do exploits in his football career.
The 18-year-old was born on November 13, 2005, in Saint-Maurice, France, and spent his first years in Alfortville.
Leny Yoro’s Football Career
Yoro is of Ivorian descent through his father and at the age of 5, he started playing football at Alfortville where he stayed one season before moving with his family to the Lille area.
Leny Yoro then pursued his football learning in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, where he developed, and ultimately joined Lille’s youth system in 2017.
At age 16, 6 months and 1 day, Yoro is the second youngest Lille player ever, behind Joël Depraeter-Henry and he usurped Belgian great Eden Hazard to the second spot.
Yoro’s stellar performances last term saw him being named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season for the 2023/24 campaign.
Astonishingly, Leny Yoro’s market value is €50 million and he functions primarily as a center-back.
It will be fascinating to see if he can also be utilized in other positions but currently, Yoro’s main position is at the heart of midfield.
Yoro’s Contract Details
Leny Yoro’s current contract with Lille runs until June 30, 2025, having penned a three-year deal in the summer of 2022.
Leny Yoro’s Career Stats
Yoro has made 60 club appearances thus far in his career, scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist in all competitions.
Internationally, the 18-year-old has previously featured for the Under 17, 18, 19, and 21 teams of France.
Currently, France Under 23 boss, Thierry Henry, has also named the defender amongst his contingent for the upcoming Summer Olympics, which its host city is Paris, France.
What Type Of Defender Is Leny Yoro?
Leny Yoro can be termed a Rolls-Royce defender due to his impressive manner of defending.
The 18-year-old combines finesse, and panache alongside brilliance, as he commands his defensive department.
Hopefully, his career will continue to grow to immense heights, having thus far been compared with greats like Raphael Varane.
He has also drawn comparisons to star center-back Virgil Van Dijk due to his playing style and his calmness, however, his similarities to Varane are more pronounced.
Leny Yoro Is The Most Valuable Player Born In 2005
According to Transfermkt, Leny Yoro is tied with Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo as the most valuable player born in 2005.