Real Madrid see rivals ‘more advanced’ in talks with Leny Yoro – Liverpool interested – Liverpool FC

With Liverpool among the clubs eyeing a deal for Lille centre-back Leny Yoro, an interesting update on the situation claims a move is already “advanced”.

Yoro has become the first concrete target for the Reds under their new regime, with Michael Edwards and Julian Ward at FSG and Richard Hughes appointed sporting director.

This appears to have led to the 18-year-old being identified as a potential signing as he is a key player for Lille despite his age.

• READ: Leny Yoro and 9 other Liverpool centre-backs could sign this summer

It was widely reported last week that Liverpool had joined Man United and Paris Saint-Germain in their pursuit of Yoro, although it was claimed that Real Madrid had priority.

However, The Athletic’s Guillermo Rai and Mario Cortegana have since reported that there has already been “direct contact” with Lille, Real’s transfer rivals “more advanced” in negotiations.

This information comes from “sources close to the player”, indicating that Liverpool could be closing in on Lille for a deal that could be worth £50m.

It is reiterated that “Yoro’s preference is Madrid” which “could end up being the key”, as was the case with Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni.

But the teenager is “not the only defensive recruit Madrid are considering” as they weigh up replacements for captain Nacho Fernandez, who could leave when his contract expires.

The landscape hasn’t changed much when it comes to Liverpool, who, like Man United and PSG, are – as he explains TimesPaul Joyce – ‘waiting in the wings’ if a proposed change to Madrid fails.

While it is not the ideal situation to be in, it was stressed that interest in Yoro is not a “fundamental part of (Liverpool’s) recruitment plans.”

Other centre-backs were sought

Instead, it is seen as too good an opportunity to pass up, with Yoro’s breakthrough at Lille highlighting him as a generational talent.

All signs point to Hughes already doing the legwork when it comes to contacting the player’s club and presumably his representatives too.

It could now be a waiting game for Liverpool and their new recruitment staff, with other centre-backs including Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori reportedly on the radar.

Arne Slot enters his first campaign as head coach after seeing Joel Matip released, leaving Virgil van Dijk, Jarell Quansah, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez as senior centre-back options.