Surprise club working on signing Leny Yoro as INEOS decide to sanction €70m transfer – report

Real Madrid are preparing to reignite their interest in Leny Yoro as Manchester United make their position known on the 20-year-old defender’s future, according to the latest report from Spain. A Long-term Target The Red Devils signed Yoro from LOSC Lille in 2024 for £52 million, fending off fierce competition from Madrid in the process. The French starlet had emerged as the best centre-back prospect in Europe, with Los Blancos identifying him as their first-choice target to rejuvenate their ageing defence. There was also interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool, who saw him as a potential successor to Virgil van Dijk – a reflection of how highly regarded he is right across the continent. United jumped the queue for Yoro by agreeing to meet Lille’s exorbitant asking price for a player who had only twelve months remaining on his contract. There was a disparity in the project on offer at Old Trafford in comparison to the Santiago Bernabeu, meaning INEOS’s tactic was to strike a deal with the club first, before then working to convince the player afterwards – and it proved a success. However, Madrid’s long-standing interest in the defender has not wavered, with the Liga giant understood to now be preparing a fresh raid this summer. Madrid reignite their pursuit Fichajes reveals Madrid have “never lost sight” of Yoro but he is now firmly “back on the radar” at the Bernabeu. The Spanish outlet states the opportunity to swap England’s biggest club for Spain’s would be a “very attractive option” for the youngster, who would be open to a “change of scenery” if a “compelling” offer was tabled. In an unexpected twist, United are said to be “willing to listen” to proposals for their prized asset, provided the bid is “significant”. The report reveals an unofficial valuation in the region of €70 million (£61m). From a PSR perspective, this would constitute a considerable profit on the initial investment to bring Yoro to Manchester. The form of the experienced pairing of Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez in recent weeks, as well as the impending return of Matthijs de Ligt from injury, has shifted the Frenchman down the pecking order under Michael Carrick. There is also another highly-rated young centre-back on the books at Old Trafford – Ayden Heaven – who may further incentivise the hierarchy to cash in on a well-stocked area of the squad. Final Thoughts While there may be temptation to accept big money for a player without a clearly defined role in the starting eleven, particularly given the need to overhaul the midfield, it would be unwise for United to allow Yoro to leave. Maguire’s contract expires at the end of the season and a new deal is yet to be offered to the soon-to-be 33-year-old. Furthermore, De Ligt and Martinez have endured multiple injuries since joining, while Heaven only turned 19 this season. The idea of letting a centre-back who was being chased by Europe’s elite leave would be a backwards step for a club looking to reassert themselves in this echelon. Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.