July 18th 2024.
Manchester United have officially announced the signing of 18-year-old Lille defender Leny Yoro, marking their second acquisition of the summer transfer window. The young French player, who is highly regarded in Europe, completed his medical in England on Wednesday before finalizing the deal with the Red Devils.
United faced competition from Real Madrid for Yoro's signature, but ultimately secured him for a fee of £52 million plus add-ons. The talented defender has signed a five-year contract with the option to extend it by an additional 12 months. The club had been in talks with other potential defensive reinforcements, including Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt, but were unsuccessful in their bids.
It was thought that Real Madrid was Yoro's preferred destination, with the Spanish giants hoping to sign him on a free transfer next summer as his contract with Lille was set to expire. However, United's offer was accepted by the Ligue 1 club, and the young defender was convinced to make the move to Old Trafford.
Speaking about his decision to join United, Yoro emphasized the club's rich history of developing and nurturing young talent. He also mentioned the clear plan that the club had outlined for his development and their care for him and his family, which played a crucial role in his decision.
Yoro was expected to join Real Madrid this summer, but the opportunity to play for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United at such an early stage in his career was an incredible honor for him. He expressed his excitement to join his new teammates and begin working towards achieving his ambitions at United.
Despite securing Yoro's signature, United remains in the market for further defensive reinforcements, with de Ligt and Branthwaite still on their radar. However, any other potential moves will likely depend on the club's ability to offload players first. Already, Raphael Varane has left the club after the expiration of his contract, with Willy Kambwala joining Villarreal on a permanent transfer. The futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof also remain uncertain as United looks to make room for new additions.
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