Man United now keen to sign £50m-rated Lille defender after first Jarrad Branthwaite bid ‘not accepted’

Man United now keen to sign £50m-rated Lille defender after first Jarrad Branthwaite bid ‘not accepted’

Manchester United are pushing hard to sign Leny Yoro, according to David Ornstein.

United are looking to strengthen in defence but face competition from Real Madrid and Liverpool.

The Red Devils have also had an opening offer turned down for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.

Manchester United are eyeing a summer move for Lille’s Leny Yoro alongside Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton, The Athletic’s David Ornstein has reported, as the Red Devils look to soften the blow of Raphael Varane’s summer departure.

The former Los Blancos man, after 95 games of service, will leave Old Trafford this summer, leaving Erik ten Hag’s men shortchanged in the centre-back department.

Finding a replacement for the decorated Frenchman could determine how the former Ajax chief’s third season in the dugout pans out.

According to The Times, the 13-time Premier League champions have agreed personal terms with the aforementioned Branthwaite in a bid to beef up their options in the heart of the back line, with Ornstein confirming on Friday afternoon that a £35m bid has been rejected.

However, their interest in Yoro suggests they could be willing to add yet another body to their roster.

Lille central defender Leny Yoro shielding the ball away from Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe
As things stand, Lisandro Martinez is Ten Hag’s only solid choice in the centre of defence.

Both Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof remain part of the club, but whether either will get a sniff at first team proceedings next season remains unclear, while the likes of Willy Kambwala and Jonny Evans – if the veteran stays – will likely play bit-part roles.

According to Ornstein, Premier League duo Liverpool and, most notably, Manchester United are ‘actively pursuing’ the young Frenchman and ‘pushing hard’ to get him, with the teenager emerging as one of the most coveted defenders in world football.