Dj Vnyash
Manchester United have secured the signing of French defender Leny Yoro from Lille in a deal valued at €62 million (£52.18 million), plus an additional €8 million (£6.73 million) in bonuses. Yoro, an 18-year-old center-back, has committed to a five-year contract with the club, which includes an option for an extra year.
Yoro made his debut for Lille at 16 and has been linked with top clubs such as Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Liverpool. Last season, he made 32 league appearances and scored twice, contributing to Lille’s fourth-place finish and earning a spot in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season.
Expressing his excitement about joining Manchester United, Yoro said, “Joining a club of Manchester United’s stature and ambition early in my career is an incredible honor. The club has shown a clear plan for my development and great care for me and my family. I believe it is the perfect place to reach my potential and achieve my goals.”
Yoro made a total of 44 appearances for Lille across all competitions, including their run to the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League, where they were eliminated by Aston Villa on penalties.
United’s recent acquisitions also include forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £36.5 million. The club has been active in the transfer market, seeking additional central defenders. They have made two unsuccessful bids for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, who is valued at over £75 million, and are negotiating with Bayern Munich for Matthijs de Ligt.
The club’s defensive options are under scrutiny, with Raphael Varane leaving and Victor Lindelof’s future uncertain. Harry Maguire, who turned down offers from other Premier League clubs last summer, remains at Old Trafford.
Simon Stone, Chief Football News Reporter, notes that United’s new signings signal a shift towards younger, promising players, potentially marking a new phase for the club. The success of Yoro and Zirkzee will indicate whether this represents a genuine transformation or just a rebranding of familiar issues.
