Manchester United are inching closer to announcing their second acquisition of the summer following Joshua Zirkzee’s arrival.
INEOS pulled off quite the coup with Leny Yoro agreeing to travel to Manchester for his medical after Lille accepted United’s £50 million offer.
It was a well-known secret that the French gem’s agent Jorge Mendes was trying to push his client towards Real Madrid who were his dream club.
Los Blancos were also interested but with the centre-back’s deal with Lille ending in 2025, they refused to match United’s price and waited for the chance to recruit the 18-year-old on a free as they have done often in the past.
United did not dither, as they often did under the Glazers, and their relentless approach meant the La Liga giants missed out on their dream defensive signing.
As per RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins, Yoro who completed the first part of his medical on Wednesday, completed the remaining part on Thursday with the Old Trafford side expected to announce the deal soon.
More importantly, the Frenchman is being given jersey number 15, the same number he wore at the French club. The number is significant from a United perspective as it was the same jersey that legendary centre-back Nemanja Vidic used to wear.
“Leny Yoro is a Manchester United player. The second part of his medical examination validated this morning. Transfer of €62million + 8 bonus.
“At 18, he becomes the most expensive defender in the history of Ligue 1. A 5-year contract with the number 15,” Hawkins wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
While the previous occupants of the famed jersey did not have the best of luck, Yoro will be hoping to change that once he dons the famous red jersey.
Two loan signings Sergio Reguilon and Marcel Sabitzer wore it while Andreas Pereira, Adnan Januzaj and Daley Blind wore it in the past following the Serb’s departure.
What fans would do if Yoro turns out to be as imperious as the United legend. They will be hopeful of catching a glimpse of their latest superstar when the team travels to the US for pre-season.
