According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, bitter rivals Manchester United and Liverpool are expected to compete for the services of 18-year-old French center-back Leny Yoro.
Currently a Ligue 1 player for Lille, the 18-year-old is considered one of Europe’s best young centre-backs.
The Premier League clubs know that Real Madrid may win the race to sign the defender but that hasn’t stopped them from targeting a move for the Ligue 1 defender.
This summer is Lille’s last opportunity to get a sizable amount for the young Frenchman, whose contract expires at the end of the next season.
Even with the Premier League’s biggest teams showing a lot of interest in Yoro, Real Madrid are frequently thought to be his likely destination.
His presence at the Champions League final is evidence of the close relationship developing.
New Liverpool manager Arne Slot wants defensive reinforcement ahead of starting the job at Anfield.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils are looking replace Raphael Varane who has left the club after the expiry of his contract.
The Premier League clubs know that Real Madrid can easily end their hopes of signing the young French defender.
The La Liga champions have a strong French speaking contingent at the club and they provide a winning environment that not many other clubs in the world can match.
Though Paris Saint-Germain are also reportedly very interested in the player, there is a belief that he might move to Madrid.
Yoro progressed through Lille’s development system and, at the age of sixteen, made his first-team debut in May 2022.
Since then, he has made a name for himself in the French league and has impressed some of the biggest clubs in the world.
Liverpool want the defender to play alongside Virgil Van Dijk
His brilliant performances have not gone unnoticed and he is now being considered as the next big talent to come out of France.
Liverpool suffered defensively last season with fitness issues to Ibrahima Konate that made Jurgen Klopp show faith in youngster Jarrel Quansah.
The Merseyside club have identified that signing a new defender is one of their priorities at the club and they want to prepare the squad in the best possible way to challenge for trophies again next season.