One problem that frequently faces Manchester United in the transfer market is attempting to buy players who are not up for sale.
As we saw with Rasmus Hojlund last summer, prices can be pushed up when clubs really want to keep their stars, and believe they can.
This is not the case with a Ligue 1 duo of interest to Manchester United, with Leny Yoro and Jonathan David on the list of potential transfer targets.
Marca report United are battling Real Madrid for Yoro, while The Independent report David is on a three-man shortlist of strikers, along with Joshua Zirkzee and Ivan Toney.
Leny Yoro and Jonathan David can leave
Lille president Olivier Letang has confirmed both Leny Yoro and Jonathan David will be allowed to leave the club this summer.
He spoke at a press conference, relayed via Fabrizio Romano: “Leny Yoro and Jonathan David can leave the club this summer. Both have the ‘exit voucher’ due to their contract situation.”
It comes amid Ligue 1 clubs being in a weak financial situation, struggling to find a broadcaster to televise matches next season, the Financial Times write.
Marca reported there is an asking price for Yoro at approximately £50 million. Football Italia reported earlier this year that David could be attainable for around £25 million.
Ineos aware of French market
Ineos are well placed to assess the Ligue 1 market, owning a controlling stake in Nice, and will be well aware of both David and Yoro.
Lille finished in fourth place last season, one point ahead of Ineos’ Nice.
That is where the extra incentive comes in for Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Jean-Claude Blanc and co, they can weaken a rival by signing their two top players.
Canada international David scored 26 goals in all competitions last season, including 19 in Ligue 1 where he finished second behind Kylian Mbappe.
Ineos have plenty of motivation to swoop in and bring him to Manchester United. A deal for Yoro will be trickier, considering interest from Real – but the Nice owners may have the contacts to steal a march.