Leny Yoro is the second arrival for Ineos’ era at Manchester United but where does the fee rank among other defensive additions?
Manchester United have made numerous expensive additions over the past 25 years, with some of the biggest being centre-backs.
After landing Leny Yoro, for an initial fee of £52.2m, it means three of the 15 most expensive deals in the club’s history as central defenders.
Here are the top five most expensive central defenders in United’s history and where Yoro ranks among them.
5. Rio Ferdinand – £30m
At number five, we have to go all the way back to 2002 and Rio Ferdinand’s move from Leeds United to Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson clearly saw what we all later learned with £30m being spent on the defender who has since gone on to be a club legend.
Given it was 2002 this deal was done, inflation would likely see Ferdinand far and away the most expensive on this list if converted into today’s money.
4. Raphael Varane – £34m
The fourth most expensive centre-back goes to Raphael Varane in what was a £34m move from Real Madrid in 2021. The Rolls-Royce defender was very impressive for large periods of his time at United, but ultimately he succumbed to age and injuries.
United let Varane go for free in June 2024 as his whopping £340k-a-week contract was simply too much to keep paying. However, solace will be taken in the fact that Yoro is seen as the next Varane.
3. Lisandro Martinez – £47m
Third on the list, it’s Lisandro Martinez with the Argentine butcher costing a base fee of £47m in 2022. Martinez made an immediate impression on the fanbase when he joined and is already seen as a fan favourite for his no holds barred play-style.
Martinez is one of the most talented footballers at the club right now and after an injury-plagued campaign, he looks back to his best, as shown during Copa America.
- READ MORE: Who is Lisandro Martinez? Step inside the life of Manchester United’s tenacious Argentine
2. Leny Yoro – £52.2m
Next up, it’s Yoro who comes in at second place in the list of most expensive centre-backs in United. £52.2m is a hefty fee, which could still rise with add-ons.
Yoro could end up being a bargain at this price if he reaches anywhere near the potential that he’s thought to have. Yoro is an incredible pick-up and could perfectly match up with Martinez.
1. Harry Maguire – £80m
Top of the list is Harry Maguire with his £80m arrival still being unbelievable in regards to how he possibly cost so much. Maguire ended up being a solid signing if the fee was disregarded, with that not being his fault.
Despite thinking he is a solid signing, Maguire remains a cautionary tale for Ineos going forward and likely played a role in the reluctance to meet Everton’s silly price tag for Jarrad Branthwaite.
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