Manchester United ready to pay £51 million for 18-year-old defender but could be snubbed – reports

Manchester United reportedly want to sign Lille central defender Leny Yoro but it is suggested that the 18-year-old Frenchman would rather sign for Real Madrid if that offer came for him. It is a blow to United but one they could overcome of the Spanish side do not come calling for him.

It is reminiscent of the pursuit of Raphael Varane in the summer of 2011 when United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was aiming to sign the young defender from Lens but he chose Real Madrid over the Old Trafford club with United signing Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers instead.

Ironically, United would like to sign Yoro to replace Varane, who has departed the Theatre of Dreams this summer after three-years at the club. Varane ended up winning the Carabao Cup and the Emirates FA Cup for United in his time at the club – which is not as good as it could have been.

According to Spanish publication Marca, a mouthpiece of Real Madrid, United see Yoro as one of their top targets and have already made a bid of more then the market value of the player. But the teenager is apparently courted by Real Madrid and he would rather join them.

If that is the case, United should remove all interest in the player and move on to another target. But Marca have hardly been all that reliable in the past with Madrid using their advantage with the publication balanced in their favour – which could also be the case here.

I am sure United will have been in contact with the player’s representatives and tested the water regarding a potential switch to Old Trafford this summer – if that has happened – which it should have by this time – which could have gone positive unless United are being used again!

Obviously, with Madrid signing Kylian Mbappe this summer, it will not be easy for them to sign more players and things will need to happen in order for it to happen. United could be in luck with the Premier League seen as a huge upgrade from the French Ligue 1 being one major positive.

Yoro could find himself starting alongside Lisandro Martinez for the upcoming season, which would boost his profile if he was able to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League. United will participate in the UEFA Europa League this season, but it would enable him to easily settle at the club.

Written by Paul