Manchester United receive Leny Yoro transfer boost as Real Madrid eye back-up signing

Manchester United have been handed a potential boost in their pursuit of Leny Yoro as Real Madrid line up a replacement signing should Los Blancos miss out.

Manchester United are focused on reinforcing their defence by signing multiple centre-backs this summer after a difficult season under Erik ten Hag, which saw them finish eighth in the Premier League and crash out of the Champions League by Christmas.

The team conceded over eighty goals in all competitions, frequently changing their defensive lineup due to injuries, resulting in more than 30 different combinations across 52 matches in the 2023/24 season.

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INEOS are assessing potential signings for the 2024 summer transfer window, with the club being linked to several high-profile defenders.

According to French reports, on Tuesday, Manchester United submitted a “written offer” for Leny Yoro, totalling around £42 million plus undisclosed bonuses. Lille has accepted this offer, as it is much better than the one from Real Madrid, which is still in the preliminary stages.

However, Yoro’s preference is to join Real Madrid, creating a significant hurdle for Manchester United. Despite this, United are determined to persuade the young talent to make the move from Ligue 1 to the Premier League.

However, a new report from the Spanish outlet AS has now revealed that Madrid have begun to line up alternatives to Yoro if they fail to sign him, suggesting that they are not completely confident in securing the 18-year-old.

Although Yoro is still their preferred option, it is said that 23-year-old former Los Blancos academy player Mario Gila is the man they see as the ideal target should they fail to secure Yoro.

Gila, currently at Lazio, left Madrid two seasons ago, but the La Liga club retain a 50% sell-on clause. Gila has impressed under Maurizio Sarri and Igor Tudor.

With United launching bids for Yoro, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Matthijs de Ligt, their pursuit of the French centre-back seems more wishful thinking, but having had a bid accepted, Madrid’s actions show that United may have a chance of making Yoro change his mind.

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