French starlet Leny Yoro made his mega £58.9 million move to Manchester United overnight, becoming the world’s most expensive teenage defender at the tender age of 18.
The five-year contract, with an option for a further 12 months, saw United agree to an initial £52.2 million deal with Lille, with potential add-ons of almost £7 million.
A graduate of French club Lille’s famed academy, the youngster has only played 41 times for his former club, but has already earned praise, and is earmarked as a future France national team starter.
Many argue that it is too much money to spend on an unproven player, particularly as the English Premier League is a step up from Ligue 1, but considering his age and potential resale value if the move doesn’t work out, it is worth a punt.
European champion Real Madrid made overtures to sign this player of Ivorian descent, but only wanted him to join next season when he would be available for a free transfer.
Born in Saint-Maurice, a suburb of Paris, Yoro will form the backbone of a new United backline that will likely see him partner Lisandro Martínez in the heart of the defence with Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw as the fullbacks.
Yoro’s move to Old Trafford may see former captain – the much-maligned Harry Maguire – drop to the bench.
Maguire, the world’s most expensive defender, has failed to light up the Theatre of Dreams since his move in 2019, but is only 31 and can still contribute to United’s cause.
Yoro is an immediate replacement and a long-term investment.
Maguire is unlikely to leave the Red Devils, as the club’s Erik ten Hag has already sanctioned the sale of defenders Willy Kambwala and Raphael Varane.
However, ten Hag has made no secret of his desire to sign Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt or Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, or even both.
If that happens, then Maguire may be surplus to requirements.
Fans are excited by the new signing and will have their first glimpse of Yoro when United kicks off the new EPL season against Fulham on Aug 17 (3am, Malaysian time).
