Man United CONFIRM £52m signing of Leny Yoro as club’s new-look transfer department get their man after stealing a march on Liverpool and Real Madrid to land 18-year-old star

Manchester United have confirmed the £52million arrival of 18-year-old French star Leny Yoro from Lille.

United’s offer of £42m plus £10m in bonuses for the defender was accepted last week, but there were concerns Yoro would prefer to join Real Madrid.

However, United have moved quickly to get the deal done and are now finalising personal terms on a five-year contract with the option of a 12-month extension.

Yoro, who made 41 appearances for Lille last season, is also attracting interest from Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.

The centre-back, described as a generational talent, flew to Manchester on Wednesday for a medical. He was waiting for Madrid to match United’s offer, but Lille pressured the defender to join the Red Devils after the Champions League winners were unwilling to pay the fee.

The club announced their latest signing on Thursday evening, shortly after the player underwent his medical on Wednesday

The deal is a huge win for Erik ten Hag’s side as United beat Liverpool

He was also Liverpool’s main target, but the Reds were apparently convinced he only wanted to go to Spain.

It is believed Madrid would prefer to wait to sign the 18-year-old next summer, when he would be a free agent, with Lille pushing to complete the deal with United as soon as possible.

Man United’s announcement came on Thursday night and is still subject to registration, but Yoro has signed a contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2029.

“It is an incredible honour to sign for a club of Manchester United’s stature and ambition so early in my career,” Yoro said after completing the deal. “Since my first discussions with the club, they have set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and they have shown great care for me and my family.

‘I know about the history of young players at Manchester United and I think it could be the perfect place for me to reach my potential and fulfil my ambitions, together with my new team-mates. I can’t wait to get started.’

He is United’s second signing of the summer after Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee moved to Old Trafford for £36.5million.

The Manchester club showed off their latest signing with a photoshoot for a picture of the city

Centre-back and striker were United’s priority positions this transfer window, and new co-owners Ineos and manager Erik ten Hag will be pleased to have both deals completed so early in pre-season, with Dan Ashworth appointed as technical director.

United are interested in signing a second centre-back after talks with Bayern Munich over a £42m signing Matthijs de Ligt and two offers of up to £50m for Jarrad Branthwaite were rejected by Everton. However, it is understood this could be dependent on raising additional funds through player sales.

They could also sell a centre-back after Raphael Varane left on a free transfer and Willy Kambwala left for Villarreal for £9.9million.

United have rejected a bid from Fulham for Scott McTominay, reportedly lower than the £30m offer they rejected from West Ham last year. Meanwhile, the Hammers are considering a £15m move for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

United hope to sign a defensive midfielder and a right-back this summer and will consider offers for McTominay and Wan-Bissaka if they match their players in terms of quality and value.

Yoro has impressed with his performances for Lille and has now secured a big transfer

United have already signed Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna this summer

Yoro, who is regarded as a talent of a generation, made his debut for Lille’s reserve team in 2022 and signed his first professional contract with the club in January of that year.

He made his professional debut in May 2022 at the age of 16, making him the second youngest player ever to play for the club.

He played a total of 55 games for the French club, scoring twice, and helped the club to a fourth place in Ligue 1 last season.

He is also a youth international for France and currently plays for the Under-21 team. He has also played at U17, U18 and U19 level.