Real Madrid believe one Liverpool target is so good that he can become the ‘Kylian Mbappe of defenders’ in the coming years.
Arne Slot confirmed in his first-ever interview as Liverpool’s manager this week that work is being done on new signings behind the scenes.
The Reds have been linked with plenty of names in recent weeks, and they are in a battle with Real Madrid to sign one of the most exciting young talents in the world.
Fabrizio Romano has now shared the latest on the situation.
Liverpool target Leny Yoro is the ‘Kylian Mbappe of defenders’
Kylian Mbappe is up there with the best players in the world right now.
The Frenchman is a superstar. He’d walk into most clubs in the world, and Liverpool even wanted to sign him before he joined Real Madrid.
Mbappe is no longer an option for Liverpool, but there is a chance that the Reds can sign a defender who can reach the France captain’s level in the coming years – Leny Yoro.
The Merseysiders have been heavily linked with a move to sign the teenage defender, with people inside the club convinced that he will be a fantastic player in the future.
However, Real Madrid are in the driving seat to sign Yoro this summer. The player has already said yes to a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, and the Galacticos like him.
Romano has revealed that the Champions League winners believe Yoro’s potential is so high that he can become the ‘Mbappe of defenders’ in the coming years.
The journalist said on Playback: “Leny Yoro wants to play for Real Madrid. Real Madrid believe Leny Yoro will be the next big thing, probably the Kylian Mbappe of defenders. So, Real Madrid believe that Yoro is going to be special.
“Now, it’s on Real Madrid, whether they want to spend money on a player out of contract in one year – so, go there and put €45-50 million on the table – or if they want to leave the conversation. It depends on Real Madrid.
“If Real Madrid will go strong on club to club (negotiations), they can sign Leny Yoro because they have the green light from the player.
“If Real Madrid decide against this, Liverpool are there for sure and Paris Saint-Germain are there for sure. PSG and Liverpool are absolutely in the race for Leny Yoro.”
READ MORE: Journalist shares what Liverpool are now telling him about Leny Yoro
What happened to the last player nicknamed ‘Mbappe of centre-backs’
Yoro is an incredibly talented defender, and he definitely has the potential to become one of the best centre-backs in the world in the coming years.
The teenager, however, isn’t the first defender to be likened to Mbappe.
Arsenal star William Saliba was nicknamed the ‘Mbappe of centre-backs‘ during his time in France. He was magnificent when he was at Nice and Marseille, on loan from Arsenal.
It has been a few years since Saliba got that nickname, and he has developed into one of the best central defenders on the planet now.
There’s no reason why Yoro can’t follow in his footsteps in the coming years.
Yoro is expected to be available for £40 million this summer (Caught Offside). Real Madrid seem like the favourites, but if Liverpool can get him, it would be a huge statement of intent ahead of Slot’s first season at the club.