Man Utd handed huge transfer boost as key target 'opens door' to move

Manchester United are reportedly negotiating salary conditions with a highly sought-after defender.

With Erik ten Hag staying at Old Trafford for at least another two seasons, United are looking to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season.

Defensive reinforcements are a priority this summer, and it looks like United are edging closer to signing Leny Yoro from Lille.

According to journalist Nabil Djellit, the 18-year-old centre-back is negotiating salary conditions with United ahead of a potential move.

United have already had an offer accepted by Lille, worth £42 million plus £10m in add-ons.

Real Madrid were the favourites to sign Yoro, with the Frenchman widely believed to favour a move to the Bernabeu.

The teenager broke into the Lille first team in 2022-23 before making 44 appearances for the Ligue 1 side last season, attracting the interest of several top European clubs.

Clubs including Liverpool reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Yoro as they were told he had his heart set on Madrid, but it now appears that United have overtaken the European champions to sit in pole position.

On Sunday United completed their first signing since Sir Jim Ratcliffe become co-owner of the club.

United paid £36.5m for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, with the Netherlands international signing a five-year contract at old Trafford.

Despite their pursuit of Yoro, United are hoping to sign Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.

The 24-year-old burst onto the European stage as the teenage captain of Erik ten Hag's Ajax side that reached the semi-finals of the 2018-19 Champions League.

He joined Bayern Munich from Juventus in 2022, but injury limited him to just 22 Bundesliga appearances last season.

United are also keen to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who they view as the midfield successor to Casemiro.