Leny Yoro, the 'Kylian Mbappé of defenders', is a 1.90-metre teenager who broke Eden Hazard's record and is now set to sign for Manchester United
Manchester United are keen to sign the 'Kylian Mbappe of defenders' and you can't get a better compliment than that.
The Red Devils have withstood a challenge of real Madrid to come closer to seal the signature of Lilac central defender Leny Yoro.
The 18-year-old is Flying to the UK to complete a medical examination and agree personal terms after his Ligue 1 side accepted a £52m bid.
When he steps onto the pitch at Old Trafford for the first time this season, the teenager will be instantly recognisable due to his impressive height of 1.90 metres.
Yoro has a great presence and is an aggressive defender with impressive technical ability and pace that allows him to cover his teammates in defense. similar to Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk.
He has already made over 60 appearances for Lille's first team, making his debut for the club at the age of 16, becoming the second youngest player in history.
By doing so, Yoro replaced Chelsea legend Eden Hazard into the record books, leaving the legendary Blues winger in third place.
He played more minutes on the pitch for his team than any other player last season, proving that the teenager had the complete trust of his coach, Paul Fonseca.
And speaking before Lille took over Aston Villa In last season's Europa Conference League, Fonseca could not speak highly enough of the Frenchman.
He said: “I think Leny will be at one of the best clubs in Europe next year. He started here with us when he was 16. He is very ambitious but very disciplined.
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“He has grown a lot but he is a very mature kid, with a lot of quality. He is very focused and concentrated, he wants to learn every day.
“I have no doubt that he will be one of the best central defenders in the world in modern football.”
That final statement is a Real Madrid echoed this as they considered Yoro to be the 'Mbappé of defenders', according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Yoro was given the chance to test himself against Real Madrid's new superstar during a 1-1 draw in December and played the full ninety minutes to help Lille deny Paris Saint-Germain a ninth consecutive Ligue 1 win.
However, the teenager was denied when Bafode Diakite's foul on Lucas Hernandez allowed Mbappe to convert a penalty.
Both had a similar start to their careers: Mbappé also made his professional debut in France at 16 before heading to a top European team.
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Of course, they play in completely different positions, but to be on a similar trajectory to one of the best in the world is an incredible compliment.
And rave reviews for Yoro and his ability appear to be a regular occurrence, with one former Manchester United star giving his seal of approval to the move.
Angel Gomes He came through the Red Devils' academy before leaving in 2020 to join Lille in France.
He has been a teammate of Yoro's since the centre-back broke into the first team and has expressed his enthusiasm for the teenager.
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Gomes told Eurosport: “As soon as he came into the group, I understood that he was going to reach the top.
“When I discovered professionals at 16 years old at Manchester United, I understood that it was different.
“He already had the right temperament. That's not normal for a player who arrives at 16 or 17 years old.
“It was like he was already an experienced player and that was evident in the way he trained, in the way he behaved. His progress was evident.”
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Now it looks like Yoro will be heading to the club that developed Gomes in a move that will be hugely popular with Manchester United fans.
That Featuring club legend Rio Ferdinandwho wanted the Red Devils to sign Yoro this summer.
He will become the fifth most expensive teenager of all time and will look to enter Erik ten Hag's defensive line alongside Lisandro Martínez.
Ten Hag seems to have found his replacement for Rafael Varane and will be delighted that Yoro has changed his mind after initially preferring to move to Madrid.
