Transfer Centre

Real Madrid transfer news: Leny Yoro 'pining' for move as Lille reject bid

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 16 June 2024

Leny Yoro transfer 'dream' revealed as Lille turn down Premier League bid

Lille reportedly turn down a bid from an unnamed Premier League club for teenage defender Leny Yoro, who favours a move to Real Madrid.

French giants Lille have reportedly rejected an offer from an unnamed Premier League club for the services of 18-year-old defender Leny Yoro.

Born in 2005, the 6ft 3in centre-back blossomed under the wing of Paulo Fonseca at the Groupama Stadium before the Portuguese left his job to take up the role of AC Milan head coach.

Last season, Yoro appeared on 44 occasions for Lille and scored three goals, helping Les Dogues finish fourth in the Ligue 1 table and earn a Champions League qualifying berth.

The 18-year-old had already broken into the Dogues first team in 2022-23 and has now featured 60 times for the seniors, but his contract only has a little over 12 months left to run.

Lille have been unsuccessful in their attempts to tie Yoro down for longer, meaning that they must accept a bid for his sale this summer or risk losing him for nothing when the 2025 summer window rolls around.

Lille defender Leny Yoro in action with Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe in February 2023 © Reuters

Yoro 'pining' for Real Madrid move despite PL interest?

As a result, Dogues president Olivier Letang has confirmed that Yoro will be able to depart for the right price this summer, and an intense auction for his signature is set to materialise.

A recent report claimed that both Manchester United and Liverpool were pushing hard to sign Yoro in the current market, although Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also lurking in the background.

Now, The Express claims that one £42.3m bid from an unspecified Premier League side has been turned down by Lille, and Yoro himself is not keen on moving to England.

Instead, the 18-year-old is thought to have his heart set on joining Real Madrid and informed Lille as such, as he is supposedly 'apprehensive' about joining a Premier League club at such a young age.

However, Yoro is not daunted at the prospect of playing for Los Blancos - whom he "dreams" of representing - and his entourage are doing their utmost to engineer a move, but the two clubs have not yet reached an agreement on a fee.

What alternatives could Liverpool, Man United target?

Jarrad Branthwaite celebrates scoring for Everton on February 3, 2024 © Reuters

Yoro's desire to represent the 15-time European champions has been well-documented for some time, meaning that Liverpool and Man United must quickly look elsewhere to strengthen their defensive ranks.

New Reds head coach Arne Slot is believed to be after a youthful defender - eliminating a reunion with Feyenoord's David Hancko - but Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio would fit the bill.

The Portuguese has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but the Red Devils are currently prioritising the acquisition of Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, whom they have now lodged a £35m offer for.

However, it would take at least double that for Everton to entertain talks with their Mancunian counterparts, whose opening bid is expected to be "laughed off" by Sean Dyche's side.

In addition, Man United's hopes of a deal for Branthwaite could suffer a damaging blow if Arsenal can conclude a £50m transfer that they have apparently made 'contact' over.