Manchester United Outpaces Real Madrid to Secure French Defensive Star Leny Yoro

Manchester United have made a significant move in the transfer market by securing the services of highly-touted 18-year-old French defender Leny Yoro from Lille OSC. This acquisition marks a notable victory for the Red Devils, who managed to outmaneuver several top European clubs, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Liverpool, to sign the promising young talent.

Yoro’s move to Manchester United is a culmination of extensive scouting and strategic bidding. Known for his robust defensive skills and composure on the ball, Yoro has been on the radar of Europe’s elite clubs, especially after an impressive 2023-24 season with Lille, where he made 32 league appearances. His potential and performance made him a prime target for Real Madrid, who were long considered the frontrunners for his signature.

Real Madrid’s interest in Yoro was so prominent that it reportedly discouraged other clubs from pursuing the Frenchman aggressively. Liverpool, initially interested, chose not to follow up on their pursuit, seemingly resigned to the idea that Yoro was destined for the Santiago Bernabeu. Paris Saint-Germain also expressed interest but were outmaneuvered in the end.

Manchester United, undeterred by the competition, prioritized Yoro after exploring options such as Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt. The Red Devils submitted a substantial bid to Lille, offering up to 70 million euros, a figure that Real Madrid were unwilling to match given Yoro’s contract situation. 

With only a year left on his contract, Real Madrid hoped to either secure a cut-price deal or sign him for free the following year, banking on Yoro’s reported preference for joining them.

However, Lille’s acceptance of United’s offer and their subsequent push towards the English club proved decisive. Yoro, after some deliberation, agreed to the move, culminating in his transfer to Manchester United on July 17, 2024.

According to The Athletic, Yoro has already undergone a medical at Manchester United and is set to sign a five-year contract with an option for a sixth year. The deal will see the young defender earn a progressively increasing salary over the duration of his stay at Old Trafford. This signing represents Manchester United’s second major acquisition of the summer, following the addition of Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee.

Yoro’s journey began in Paris, where he joined the Lille academy in 2017. His rise through the ranks was swift, making his senior team debut in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season. Over the next two seasons, he cemented his place in the team, making a total of 60 appearances and scoring three goals, all in his final season with Lille.

With Yoro’s signing, the Red Devils have not only secured a top defensive prospect but also dealt a blow to their rivals, particularly Real Madrid, who will now have to look elsewhere to bolster their defense.

Yoro’s arrival at Old Trafford is eagerly anticipated, with fans and pundits alike keen to see how the young Frenchman adapts to the Premier League and contributes to Manchester United’s ambitions in the upcoming seasons.