Manchester City are facing potential competition this summer for young Lille defender Leny Yoro from none other than their Champions League quarter-final opponents Real Madrid.
City have been linked a few times in recent monehts with a move for Yoro.
Leading up to the January transfer window, it was claimed that City were battling with rivals Manchester United over Yoro.
It was then suggested that City had learned Yoro’s price tag was around £60 million. This was apparently a little bit off-putting for City, but it was suggested that the club are still expected to try and sign Yoro this summer.
But they could have some trouble, because Real Madrid have reportedly now joined the hunt…
Real Madrid join transfer race for Manchester City target Leny Yoro
It has been reported today by renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano that Real Madrid are hopeful of signing Yoro this summer.
He wrote on X: “Real Madrid are sending their scouts regularly to France in order to monitor Leny Yoro, he’s one of the main targets for present and future. Real, insisting as they’re aware of other clubs interest including Paris Saint-Germain.
“PSG, working on it since January.”
Yoro has attracted attention after first breaking through to Lille’s first-team in May 2022. This term, he has been a regular, making 35 appearances across all competitions.
Yoro’s quality and potential to become special is clear at this point, with Goal placing him 10th place in their NXGN list that compiles the best young talents in football.
In their description of the player, Goal features quotes from Lille’s manager Paulo Fonseca, who has called Yoro ‘extraordinary’.
Real Marid interest is a problem for Man City if Yoro is a genuine target
So it sounds as though Real Madrid could genuinely really push for Yoro this summer – and this is bad news for City.
While Pep Guardiola‘s side are arguably the best in the world right now, there is no denying how huge Real Madrid are, and the lure they still have for young players.
Real already have a strong French contingent at the club with Ferland Mendy, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, and it’s expected Kylian Mbappe will be joining them in the summer.
This is likely going to appeal to French youngster Yoro, although PSG will also naturally be a big draw for him.
City are therefore up against it in this particular transfer chase but who knows, maybe Txiki Begiristain’s powers of persuasion will come through.
