Liverpool are reportedly one of three teams pursuing the services of Lille centre-back Leny Yoro but have accepted that they might be facing a losing battle to tempt him away from Real Madrid.
The 18-year-old has quickly established a reputation as one of the highest-rated centre-back prospects in Europe, having appeared for Les Dogues on 44 occasions in all competitions during the 2023-24 season.
Yoro netted three goals for the 2020-21 French champions last term, helping his side achieve a fourth-placed Ligue 1 finish - thus securing qualification for the Champions League qualifying rounds - and progression to the last eight of the Europa Conference League.
Yoro's stellar rise to fame was expected to earn him an Olympic call-up, but Lille refused to release the 2005-born starlet, who is only under contract with his current club for another year.
As talks over an extension failed to bear fruit, Lille president Olivier Letang has confirmed that Yoro will be available for the right price this summer, and an intense scrap for his services has now ensued.
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Liverpool, Manchester United resigned to missing out on Yoro?
Talk of Manchester United launching a £51.2m offer for Yoro is thought to be wide of the mark, but the Red Devils are said to be one of three teams fighting for the right to prise him away from Lille.
According to The Athletic, both Liverpool and Man United are pushing hard to bring Yoro to the Premier League this summer, but there is an acceptance on both sides that their efforts may be futile.
Indeed, the two Premier League titans are under no illusions that the pull of Real Madrid could be too tempting for Yoro to turn down, while Paris Saint-Germain are also in the mix too.
A move to the Parc des Princes is not believed to appeal to the 18-year-old at this moment in time, although Real Madrid are considered the favourites at this juncture, even though their interest is not as advanced.
Man United, Liverpool and PSG are all fearing that Los Blancos could suddenly make a late and successful surge for Yoro's signature, although neither Premier League club view his signing as a crucial part of their summer transfer plans.
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Talks between Yoro and Madrid have supposedly been positive, and even though Lille are currently after a fee of €100m (£84.1m), they will certainly have to reduce their demands lest they risk losing him for nothing in 2024.
Why are Liverpool pursuing Leny Yoro?
One of Arne Slot's first tasks as Liverpool head coach will be the signing of a new centre-back, as Joel Matip will officially become a free agent in a couple of weeks' time, while Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams could follow him out of the door.
In addition, Joe Gomez's future is not clearly defined - the England international is believed to be pining for a return to London - and Virgil van Dijk is only under contract for another year as well.
The towering Dutchman is set to stay for at least one more year and should be offered a short-term extension at the bare minimum, but Liverpool must start making contingency plans in the event of his departure.
Either way, Van Dijk turns 33 next month and will not be around forever, highlighting why Liverpool's pursuit of one of the game's most talented teenage defenders makes perfect sense.
Ben Knapton
