United initiate contact to sign French wonderkid, he could be exactly the type of signing needed

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Manchester United and Manchester City have initiated contacts to try and sign exciting LOSC Lille defender Leny Yoro, according to reports.

Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United looks uncertain but that has not stopped the club trying to get some of his targets in key areas in place for next summer.

Raphael Varane’s future looks uncertain at Old Trafford and the Frenchman was once again on the bench for the Red Devils against Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth and failed to get a minute of action on the pitch.

A new central defender will surely be targeted at Old Trafford to partner Lisandro Martinez, once he returns from the injury that has kept him out for the majority of the season.

Yoro talks

According to a report from French outlet Le10Sport, United, alongside City, are the two clubs who have stolen a march on the other European heavyweights who are keen on the Frenchman.

Whether this is true or not remains to be seen but Yoro would be an exciting signing for the Red Devils if they could get it over the line, although manoeuvering past Pep Guardiola’s City side in the race for the Frenchman will be no walk in the park.

At just 18 years of age, the defender would be a very exciting, albeit raw signing for the Red Devils but he would grow with the team and the hope is that Sir Jim Ratcliffe could use the connections he has made in France to get the deal over the line.

United’s need for defensive additions

Despite how good Harry Maguire has been for the Red Devils this season, including a Premier League Player Of The Month award.

Yoro at 18 has 13 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille this season and has scored two goals for the French side. He is just 6 foot 1 but he has room to grow.

However, Yoro, alongside Martinez, would be a risk to bring him into the Premier League but it would be a risk worth taking.

The report doesn’t mention how much the French club would demand for his signature but it would surely be cheaper than Antonio Silva, who could cost £86 million according to Florian Plettenberg.

Yoro would be a risk but one worth going for as they need a new defensive partner for Martinez, the 18-year-old could be exactly that.