Liverpool have made a ‘strong’ move for Man Utd target ‘in the last few hours’

Liverpool have joined Manchester United in the race to sign Lille starlet Leny Yoro in the summer transfer window.

Yoro made his first team debut for Lille aged 16 in 2022 and has established himself as one of the most promising young defenders in French football.

Lille secured Champions League qualification with a fourth-place finish in Ligue 1 this term and Yoro, now 18, has played a key role at the back for Paulo Fonseca’s side, making 32 appearances in the league Best.

The tall and imposing youngster was also instrumental as Lille reached the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League, where they were stopped by Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.

However, speculation has grown that Yoro could be set for the exit door at Stade Pierre Mauroy, with Paris Saint-Germain holding a long-standing interest in the France Under-23 international.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, PSG have been pushing to sign Yoro “for some time” but have been unable to reach an agreement with the player’s entourage.

The report claims Yoro’s performances are also attracting attention from Real Madrid and Manchester United, while Liverpool are said to have “forced” their way into the race for the sought-after 6ft 3 teenager “in the last few hours”.

Yoro recently hired super-agent Jorge Mendes to represent him, only fueling speculation of a possible big-money move away from Lille ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

With Yoro out of contract in 2025, Lille must decide whether to cash in on the defender this summer or risk losing their prized possession on a free transfer in 12 months.

Having secured Champions League football for next season, Lille manager Fonseca claimed Yoro had all the qualities to go on and become one of the best centre-backs on the planet.

“I think that next year Leny will be at one of the best clubs in Europe,” Fonseca told reporters.

“He started here at 16 with us. He is very ambitious but very disciplined.

“He has grown a lot, but he is a child with great maturity, with great quality.

“He’s very focused, very focused, he wants to learn every day.

“I have no doubt that in modern football he will be one of the best centre-backs in the world.”

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