Liverpool are set to make a handful of new additions as new manager Arne Slot aims to have a squad to compete on all fronts next season, but the Reds could be set to lose out on one of their primary targets.
With Joel Matip departing the club at the end of last season and the likes of Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez prone to injuries, Slot is likely to dip into the transfer market to add to his central defensive options.
As Liverpool scour the market to bolster their rearguard, Lille‘s young defender Leny Yoro has reportedly emerged as a top target, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the Reds are ‘absolutely in the race’ to secure his signature this summer.
However, it appears that Yoro has his heart set on a move to reigning European champions Real Madrid, with club legend Zinedine Zidane‘s intervention proving to be crucial.
Real Madrid jump to the front of the queue for Liverpool target Leny Yoro
Real Madrid are also in the market for a central defender to replace former club captain Nacho Fernandez, with ESPN reporting that the Spaniard is set to join Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah.
According to a report from Spanish publication Defensa Central, Zidane has personally given a glowing verdict on Yoro to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who has taken the Frenchman’s opinion into account.
The same report states that Yoro is willing to reject all offers on the table to secure a move to the Spanish capital, which comes as a massive blow to Liverpool and Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, who are also believed to be in the race for the Frenchman.
Yoro is reportedly valued at around £50m but with his contract set to expire next summer, it remains to be seen if interested clubs meet Lille’s asking price.
Who can Liverpool turn to if they miss out on Leny Yoro?
If Yoro were to reject Liverpool’s advances in favour of a move to Real Madrid, the Reds could shift focus to Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori, who has turned heads with his performances for Italy at Euro 2024.
Calafiori has featured in each of Italy’s three group-stage games and has emerged as one of their standout performers despite scoring an unfortunate own goal in the 1-0 defeat to Spain on matchday two.
The young defender even showed his ability on the other end of the pitch as he drove forward with the ball to set up Mattia Zaccagni’s last-gasp equalizer against Croatia in the dying embers of the game.
Liverpool have reportedly made contact with Bologna for Calafiori, who is also attracting interest from Serie A giants Juventus. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who has emerged as a mainstay at the back for England at Euro 2024, is also said to be on their radar, so the Reds won’t be short of options if they miss out on Yoro.