Manchester United have taken “concrete action” to sign Leny Yoro in the January window

Manchester United are taking “concrete” steps to sign 18-year-old Lille defender Leny Yoro in the January transfer window as the club search for a Raphaël Varane replacement.

Raphaël Varane‘s future at Manchester United seems it is all heading in the direction of the exit door after the player was demoted to fourth-choice centre-back under Erik ten Hag.

Varane was absent during United’s 2-1 win over Chelsea on Wednesday evening through a back injury, with Jonny Evans on the bench for the first time in a month after suffering a hamstring injury.

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According to French outlet Le10 Sport, United are taking “concrete action” to sign 18-year-old Lille defender Leny Yoro in the winter market after the player has impressed many of Europe’s top clubs this season.

Yoro has started 12 games for Lille this season after graduating from their youth academy in 2022, and his performances have seen him become a highly sought-after player.

The report explains that both Ten Hag and United have made contact with the French defender and that “first conversations” over a winter transfer have already taken place, although Lille are not keen to sell in January.

With Varane likely heading for the exit door in the summer rather than in January, a deal to bring Yoro to Old Trafford in the summer as a long-term replacement for the World Cup winner may be more likely.

Yoro’s current contract at Lille expires in 2025, and the Ligue 1 team are keen to extend this deal with clubs breathing down their neck. Along with United, their cross-town counterparts Manchester City are named as another interested party.

Another player who has piqued the interest of Ten Hag is Nice’s Jean Claire-Todibo, who Sir Jim Ratcliffe has slapped a £45 million price tag on.

Varane is said to be happy at United for now despite his lack of playing time and wants to fight for his place in the coming months – although is under less pressure than others as he will not travel to EURO 2024 after his retirement from international football.