Manchester United have had a bid accepted for Leny Yoro but unlike most transfer deals, that was the easier part of this one.
That is because it is an open secret that the player himself prefers a move to Real Madrid instead, who have been lowballing LOSC Lille as they know they hold the cards.
Nonetheless, United are determined to try and convince him to move, even if it risks repeating an embarrassment the Glazer suffered two years ago.
Any help they can get in making that attempt successful would undoubtedly be highly appreciated and they might just call in a favour for the same.
An “agent” at Lille
The practice of players speaking into each other’s ears to convince them of a move has been as old as time in the transfer market. Be it English players talking to Mason Mount last summer, or United’s Ajax contingent getting involved in the Andre Onana sweepstakes, it is a reality that is unavoidable.
Continuing from that, United actually could have their own “agent” doing the club’s bidding in Yoro’s ears.
The record-breaking ex-Man United wonderkid, Angel Gomes, has found a new lease of life at Lille, having played for them since 2021/22.
While Yoro’s emergence has been recent, nobody knows more about coming through as a highly-rated prospect than Gomes. The nifty attacker was the first player born in the 2000s to play for United and is one of the youngest Man United debutants.
If Yoro has any reservations about how United is as a club, and how they treat the development of young players as a project, he only needs to turn around and talk to Gomes about it.
Of course, Gomes could not fulfill his full potential at the club, but he was at the club since the age of six so a lot of what has helped him in his professional career post-United was learned at the club.
Since his time, United’s reputation in handling young players has only gone up, with a new academy graduate establishing himself in the first team almost every year.
No regrets in Yoro chase
United might ultimately fail in their efforts to sign Yoro but to not even attempt to register their interest in a generational talent like him would send the wrong message.
They have been the most proactive club in looking for his signature, a statement of intent that United are back fighting for the world’s best young players, even if it might take some time to become the favourites.
For a long time, United have dithered or made ill-advised signings on the wrong side of the ideal age bracket, needing to refresh the squad every few seasons.
Players like Yoro are needed to break that cycle so this signing, or the pursuit of it, becomes much more than just success or failure.
United would be remiss to not use any and all factors on their side to make it a successful one. Angel Gomes is a big one right now.
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