Manchester United have “started” discussions with Lille about a potential deal for teenage defender Leny Yoro, according to Le10 Sport.
The French publication claims that both the Red Devils and arch-rivals Manchester City have “made contact” to enquire about the centre-back.
Yoro is only 18 years of age but he has established himself as a regular starter in Lille’s first team this season, having made 21 appearances in total for the French club.
However, his contract expires at the end of next season and that has attracted the interest of United and a host of other teams.
Lille will demand a huge fee for Yoro
The teenager’s current asking price is a staggering €90m (£78.2m). Due to his contract situation, though, it is likely that the Lille will be forced to drop their high valuation at some point.
If Yoro still hasn’t put pen to paper on an extension by the end of the season, the Ligue One side would have no choice but to agree to sell for a lower fee.
United will have competition for the defender
In addition to City, Erik ten Hag’s side will also have to fend off the likes of Liverpool, who Le10 Sport say are “ready to sign a nice cheque” to buy Yoro.
Reports in the UK have also mentioned Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham as potential suitors, but the main stumbling block for any club, as things stand, is the price tag.
United are keen to recruit a centre-half this month so it remains to be seen whether they go all out to sign Yoro or pursue a cheaper target instead.
The Red Devils have also been linked with Benfica’s Antonio Silva, Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio, Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo, Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba in recent months.
