Transfer: Liverpool, Man United chase after same target

Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly making significant strides to secure the signing of Lille’s highly-rated 18-year-old centre-back, Leny Yoro. Renowned for his exceptional defensive prowess and often likened to Arsenal’s William Saliba, Yoro has caught the attention of several top European clubs.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed on Thursday evening that both Premier League giants are actively pursuing Yoro, despite Real Madrid being considered the frontrunners for his signature. Paris Saint-Germain is also in the mix, indicating a high-stakes battle for the talented defender even for both Liverpool and United.

Yoro’s performances at the heart of Lille’s defense have earned him high praise and comparisons to top-tier defenders. Lille midfielder Rémy Cabella, speaking to GOAL, drew parallels between Yoro and other French defensive stars he has played alongside.

“At Marseille, I knew Boubacar Kamara, at Saint-Etienne, William Saliba and Wesley Fofana, and now there’s Leny Yoro. He has all the qualities and potential to do something huge. He’s very humble, and that’s another of his strengths,” Cabella said.

Lille’s head coach, Paulo Fonseca, echoed these sentiments, highlighting Yoro’s maturity and technical skills.

“It’s not normal to have an 18-year-old player like Leny with this maturity and the technical qualities he has. For me, he will be one of the best central defenders in France and probably in Europe. He is very balanced, and there is no doubt that he will be a very great player,” Fonseca stated.

Jean-Michel Vandamme, Lille’s academy manager, emphasized Yoro’s quick learning ability and analytical mindset.

“Leny is a quick learner. He wants to excel and has a real interest in analyzing different situations and understanding them, while putting himself under controlled pressure. When the coach and staff give him advice, he listens, absorbs and applies it. The same is true when he receives advice from his teammates,” Vandamme explained.

However, Vandamme noted that Yoro still has areas to improve, particularly in defensive aerial play.

“He’s got a good sense of movement and good timing, but when it comes to defensive aerial play, as he’s more on his back foot, I think he still needs to improve. He still needs to work on his strength,” he added.

With Real Madrid and PSG also keen, Leny Yoro’s future is poised to be one of the most intriguing transfer sagas of the summer.