On Wednesday, reports emerged claiming that Manchester United were stepping up their interest in Lille’s wonderkid centre-half Leny Yoro.
Marca believe that the Premier League giants have now put an offer on the table. One which lands somewhere in the region of Lille’s £51 million asking price.
Now, such claims are yet to be verified. Despite Marca in the towering defender, a publication based in Spain are maybe unlikely to be the ones breaking the news about a potential move to England for a France-based defender with Portuguese representatives.
Still, suggestions that Manchester United are stomping down on the accelerator and stepping up their interest in their leading central defensive targets aligns with the belief that, while frustrations grow in some sections of the Red Devils support, Ineos are moving decisively behind the scenes as a long overdue squad rebuild begins in earnest.
Manchester United are prioritising rising stars under Ineos
Ineos appear determined to centre Man United’s renovation project around a core of young, hungry talent.
United already have Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Willy Kambwala, with the likes of Leny Yoro (18), Joao Neves (19), Benjamin Sesko (21) and Jarrad Branthwaite (21) among those who have been linked with increasing regularity since the Premier League campaign came to an end in May.
The signing of Assan Ouedraogo would maybe not create quite so many headlines, reportedly valued at just £8.5 million and playing in Germany’s second tier with Schalke. But Ouedraogo is viewed as one of the brightest talents in German football for a reason.
BILD report that a who’s who of European powerhouses have made their interest known. And, in an update on Wednesday, BILD claim that Manchester United – along with north west rivals Liverpool – have now made contact with Schalke about a deal that could rise to £13 million.
Likened to Paul Pogba due to the light-footed elegance which belies his 6ft 4ins frame, Ouedraogo’s father opened the door to Manchester United last week when claiming that a much-discussed switch to Bayern Munich was no longer on the cards.
Bayern Munich out of Assan Ouedraogo race for now
“We are grateful and proud of the great interest in our boy. But we have a valid contract with Schalke 04 and will not make any hasty decisions,” Alassane Ouedraogo tells Sky Germany.
“The next step is incredibly important for his personal and footballing development. The financial aspect is not the decisive factor, but the ideas and the trust of the future coach and those responsible.
“The fact is, there was never a commitment from Assan and us to FC Bayern. Although we had had a well-paid contract from FC Bayern ready for signature for months,” Alassane adds.
“The ideas were more important to us than Bayern’s financial possibilities. Bayern have now informed us openly and honestly that they do not want to afford a transfer of Assan this summer for various reasons.
“We have not yet made a commitment to any club. What we can confirm is that we have received several written offers. Not just from Bayern. Many clubs, especially from the Premier League, have been very interested in Assan.
“We will make the right decision soon.”