Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'send scouts to watch Lille defender Leny Yoro'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 11 March 2024

Man Utd 'send scouts to watch Lille defender Leny Yoro'

Manchester United are reportedly considering a summer move for Lille defender Leny Yoro after sending scouts to watch the 18-year-old.

The teenager was promoted to Lille's senior side during the second half of last season and has since established himself as a first-team regular under head coach Paulo Fonseca this term.

Yoro has made a total of 33 appearances for Les Dogues across all competitions in the 2023-24 campaign, including 23 starts in Ligue 1.

As well as scoring two goals, Yoro has helped Lille keep 14 clean sheets in Ligue 1 and climb into the top four, just one place and three points behind the Champions League positions.

The 6ft 3in centre-back has entered the final 18 months of his contract with the French outfit and has attracted interest from a number of top European clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.

Lille defender Leny Yoro in action with Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe in February 2023 © Reuters

Earlier this year, Real Madrid allegedly made contact with Lille over a proposed move for Yoro ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

Premier League quartet Man United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, have also been credited with an interest in the highly-rated youngster.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano in his column for CaughtOffside, Man United are one of many clubs in the race for Yoro's signature, with the Red Devils having sent scouts to follow the defender.

However, Romano adds that Man United are still in the process of building their new board under new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and summer transfer plans have been placed on hold for the time being.

Ratcliffe's 27.7% purchase of the Red Devils was officially confirmed last month, and the British billionaire has already brought in INEOS colleagues Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc to work alongside him on the club's board, as well as former Manchester City's chief Omar Berrada.

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe on March 17, 2023 © Reuters

The addition of a new sporting director and head of recruitment are both high on Ratcliffe's agenda, with Dan Ashworth – who was recently put on gardening leave by Newcastle United – and Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman said to be two names among his primary targets.

Should Man United decide to step up their pursuit of Yoro, Romano claims that the defender "will not be cheap for sure", with Lille president Olivier Letang set to name his asking price "around May."

Erik ten Hag's side are expected to delve into the summer transfer market for a new central defender amid uncertainty over the futures of Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans.

While both Varane and Evans are due to see their contracts expire at the end of the season, Maguire has 18 months remaining on his deal, with the Red Devils believed to be open to offers for the England international.