Real Madrid are reportedly closing in on a deal for Lille centre-back Leny Yoro, with the youngster's signing potentially being announced within the next couple of weeks.
The 18-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the best teenage talents in world football, only has a contract with Lille until the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Manchester United and Liverpool have been heavily linked with the Frenchman, but it has always been thought that Real Madrid were at the head of the queue for his signature.
According to AS, with Nacho's departure now being confirmed, Real Madrid have stepped up their pursuit of the defender, and a deal is expected to be secured within the next couple of weeks.
The report claims that, had Nacho decided to pen a new deal, Los Blancos would have been looking to push Yoro's arrival back until the summer of 2025, but the decision has forced them into a major call.
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Real Madrid 'set to win the race for Yoro'
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti allegedly wants Yoro for the start of pre-season, although the Spanish outfit still need to come to an agreement with Lille in terms of a fee.
Lille are believed to be looking for around €60m (£51m) for Yoro, with the club able to demand a high price despite his contract situation, such was his form last season.
The defender made 44 appearances for his French club last term, scoring three times in the process, while he has represented them on 60 occasions in all competitions.
Should a deal go through, Yoro will be competing with Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Eder Militao for a spot in the middle of the Real Madrid defence next season.
Alaba missed the end of last season with a serious knee injury, while Militao was also absent for the majority of the campaign due to a knee problem of his own.
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Yoro's arrival would be huge for Real Madrid
There is a feeling that Yoro will go on to become one of the best centre-backs in the world in the not too distant future.
Paris Saint-Germain are also believed to have been keen, with a recent report claiming that the French giants were growing in confidence when it came to a possible deal.
However, Yoro's preference is always thought to have been Real Madrid, with the defender waiting for the capital giants to make their move.
There is uncertainty when it comes to Alaba's long-term future, so there is certainly room in the squad for another centre-back, and Real Madrid are seemingly on the verge of securing a deal for one of the biggest talents in world football.
Kylian Mbappe is also arriving on a free transfer from PSG, with Real Madrid again looking like the team to beat in the Champions League during the 2024-25 campaign.
Matt Law
