Liverpool’s pursuit of Lille’s young centre-back, Leny Yoro, remains in play even though the player favors a move to Real Madrid. Initially, Liverpool’s interest in the 18-year-old talent seemed tentative, hinging on whether a deal with Real Madrid fell through.

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Yoro, highly regarded after his impressive performances at Lille, has made it clear he prefers a transfer to Madrid. However, no agreement has been finalized between Lille and Real, leaving room for other clubs to make a move.

Manchester United has already taken significant steps by having their bid accepted, as reported by Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News. The proposed fee ranges between €60 million (£50.7m) and €70 million (£59.1m), setting a benchmark for Liverpool.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano noted that Lille is pushing Yoro to consider Manchester United’s offer, which they view as the best available. Despite this, Yoro remains hopeful for a move to Madrid, with The Athletic’s Mario Cortegana reporting ongoing discussions with the Spanish club. Cortegana mentioned that a potential deal could involve a fee of €40 million (£33.8m) plus add-ons, possibly totaling an additional €30 million (£25.3m).

Liverpool’s strategy regarding Yoro is uncertain. They have shown cautious interest, and recent developments suggest that Lille is keeping their options open to secure the best possible deal.

As Liverpool’s new head coach Arne Slot prepares for the upcoming season, he is currently working with Jarell Quansah, Sepp van den Berg, Nat Phillips, and Amara Nallo as his centre-back options. With Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez participating in the Euros and Joel Matip released after his contract expired, there is a potential need for reinforcement in the defensive line.

Phillips is likely to be sold, with Trabzonspor already having a bid rejected, and Nallo is expected to spend most of his time with the U21s. Any new centre-back signings may depend on Slot’s plans for Van den Berg and any offers for the 22-year-old, who is valued at £20 million.