Lille centre-back Leny Yoro is reportedly undergoing a medical at Manchester United ahead of signing a five-year contract at Old Trafford with the option of a further 12 months.
Leny Yoro is reportedly undergoing his medical at Manchester United, with the centre-back preparing to sign a five-year contract at Old Trafford with the option of a further 12 months.
Man United recently agreed a deal with Lille worth a maximum of €70m (£58.8m) for the 18-year-old but have been waiting to see whether he wants to make the move to the Red Devils.
Real Madrid have also been heavily linked with Yoro, who is believed to have been determined to secure a switch to Bernabeu this summer.
However, Man United now appear to have won the race, with the teenager heading to England on Wednesday afternoon to undergo a medical ahead of signing a five-year contract.
According to journalist David Ornstein, Yoro’s medical examinations are currently taking place, with an announcement on his arrival set to arrive by the end of the evening or on Thursday.
© Reuters
Yoro ‘undergoing medical’ at Old Trafford
Ornstein claims that Yoro decided on Tuesday evening to accept a switch to Old Trafford despite previously being keen to secure a move to Real Madrid.
The defender is set to become Man United’s second signing of the summer after Joshua Zirkzee, with the Dutchman’s arrival from Bologna being confirmed over the weekend.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid had only been offering around €25m (£21m) for Yoro this summer and were hoping that a deal on a free transfer could be agreed for next summer.
However, Los Blancos are now set to miss out on the teenager, who has made 60 appearances for Lille in all competitions since making the breakthrough into the first team, including 44 outings last term.
Romano later said that the first part of the medical tests at Carrington had been completed, but further tests are needed before a deal can be signed.
© Reuters
When could Yoro could make his Man United debut?
Even if a deal is secured by the end of play on Wednesday, it is unlikely that Yoro would be available for Man United’s second friendly of the summer against Rangers on Saturday.
However, it is expected that he would travel with the squad on their pre-season tour of the United States.
Yoro’s debut for the 20-time English champions could therefore potentially occur against Arsenal on July 27, with that clash coming ahead of matches with Real Betis and Liverpool.
Man United’s 2024-25 campaign will then officially begin against Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 10, before opening their Premier League season six days later against Fulham at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are still expected to sign another centre-back this summer, with Matthijs de Ligt potentially making the move from Bayern Munich, although Everton‘s Jarrad Branthwaite remains a target.