Man Utd set to break transfer market for Leny Yoro

Manchester United have agreed on a £52million fee with Lille as they look to land Leny Yoro.

The Red Devils are in the market for defensive recruits and have identified a number of potential targets – the Lille youngster among them.

The centre-half is still only 18 but has been playing for the French side since he was 16 and needs to make a decision on his future with Real Madrid circling.

Yoro is thought to be keen on a switch to Spain, but Los Blancos don’t want to pay the hefty fee and are hopeful of landing him in 12 months time.

United are determined to get a deal over the line, but are also closing in on the capture of Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.

Mirror Football understands that Erik ten Hag has told the Dutchman that he wants him to play alongside Lisandro Martinez – but a move for Yoro could force him into making a U-turn.

Ultimately, Yoro’s move could see Ten Hag break his promise to De Ligt. The Dutch defender played under Ten Hag at Ajax and had a host of Europe’s finest outfits pursuing his signing before he eventually headed to Juventus – later joining Bayern.

Yoro would be another major investment and take United’s spending on two centre-halves to around £100m. The club also retain an interest in Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and have seen several bids rejected, but the player is open to a move to Old Trafford.

Ten Hag is thought to want two of the three defenders on his shortlist and that may be dictated by the willingness of players to move and a club’s desire to sell. It is possible that one or both of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire may have to be sold to finance the transfers.