Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Transfers, Lille, Angel Gomes
Ryan Smart
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Transfers, Lille, Angel Gomes
Manchester United have opened talks over the signing of Lille wonderkid Leny Yoro, according to a new report.
Yoro currently plays for the Ligue 1 outfit alongside former United starlet Angel Gomes, who made the move to France in the summer of 2020.
Gomes, who won the U21 Euros with England in the summer but is yet to make his senior Three Lions debut, has impressed throughout his time at Lille.
The club are well-known for giving opportunities to young players, and the 23-year-old is one of many to have taken his chance with both hands.
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Another player who has done likewise is 18-year-old centre-back Yoro, who has emerged as a key player at the heart of Lille's backline this season.
He has proven he has ability at both ends of the pitch, with two goals in his 13 Ligue 1 appearances this term for Paulo Fonseca's side.
As per WhoScored, he ranks second amongst Lille defenders for both interceptions and clearances, and his average rating of 6.93 is the sixth highest of all Lille players this term.
According to French outlet le10sport, United have made preliminary contact with the French club over the signing of Yoro, although are expected to face significant competition.
It is claimed that Manchester City are also strong admirers of the player, and that both sides have made 'very concrete moves' to acquire his signature.
Speaking to Ligue 1's official website about Yoro's progress, Lille academy chief Jean-Michel Vandamme explained: "He's got a good sense of movement and good timing, but when it comes to defensive aerial play, as he's more on the back foot, I think he still needs to improve.
"He's had an accelerated learning curve because he only spent two years at the youth academy. Leny is a quick learner."
He continued: "The coach [Fonseca] has an extremely precise and rigorous game plan, in which talent is important but respect for instructions is just as important.
"When the coach and staff give him [Yoro] advice, he listens, absorbs and applies it. The same is true when he receives advice from his team-mates."