Leny Yoro: Manchester United make the French teenager the second most expensive defender in history

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Manchester United have made Leny Yoro the second most expensive defender in their history after signing the French teenager for a fee that could be as high as £58.9m.

United paid Lille an initial €62m for the 18-year-old, with €8m in add-ons possible, after snubbing interest from Real Madrid to land their top defensive target.

The centre-back, who was named in Ligue One’s team of the season last year, replaces fellow Frenchman Raphael Varane as United look to rejuvenate their squad in a summer overhaul.

United believe Yoro, who has signed a five-year contract with the club with an option to extend until 2030, has all the ingredients to become a top-class centre-back and feel he is one of the most exciting young defenders from the world. the world.

They began tracking him before the end of last season and held several meetings with the defender to try and convince him to come to Old Trafford.

Manager Erik ten Hag and the club’s new hierarchy – with Dan Ashworth appointed as sporting director and Jason Wilcox as technical director – were all strongly in favor of buying Yoro.

United have also submitted two bids for Jarrad Branthwaite without coming close to Everton’s £70m valuation and are interested in Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt. They could still bring in a second centre-back this summer, but Yoro was the priority.

Yoro said: “To sign for a club of Manchester United’s stature and ambition so early in my career is an incredible honour. From my first conversations with the club, they have set out a clear plan on how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project and have shown a lot of care for me and my family.

“I know the history of the young players at Manchester United and I feel it can be the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my ambitions, together with my new team-mates. I can’t wait to get started.”

Ashworth added: “Leny is one of the most exciting young defenders in world football; possesses all the necessary attributes to become a top centre-back. With such an excellent start to his career, we are delighted to support him in reaching his huge potential here at Manchester United.

“This club has a fantastic track record of developing young players, whether they are of local origin or brought in from elsewhere, and giving them the guidance, time and patience they need to grow and flourish. Under Erik ten Hag and our excellent staff, we will ensure that Leny has the perfect platform to achieve the success that everyone at the club is looking for.”

Yoro, a France under-21 international who is yet to win his first senior cap, is not involved in his country’s squad for the Olympics and can link up with United immediately to join their pre-season programme.

United have only previously paid a higher fee for a defender, with Harry Maguire signing for £80m in 2019, and so far Yoro has become the most expensive arrival since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became part owner.