Liverpool are likely to be busy on the transfer front this summer as Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes look to revamp their squad.
The Anfield outfit has just begun a new era, with Arne Slot taking over from Jurgen Klopp as Reds boss.
Edwards and Hughes will be eager to give the new Liverpool manager all the tools he needs to hit the ground running at Anfield.
The Reds are said to be looking at reinforcements in defence, in wake of Joel Matip leaving the club on a free transfer.
Liverpool have been linked with a host of top defenders over the past few months, including one who has been backed to become a superstar.
However, the Reds are currently behind in the race for his signature, with Fabrizio Romano now saying they are ready to pounce only in case his priority move collapses.
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Liverpool waiting to pounce on Leny Yoro if Real Madrid deal collapses
The player in question is Lille’s Leny Yoro, one of the most highly sought-after defensive talents in the world.
As well as Liverpool, the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain were said to be in pursuit.
Both Liverpool and PSG had expressed serious interest in snapping up the centre-back, only for Los Blancos to swoop in.
Romano has now provided the latest information on the Yoro transfer saga, and it’s sadly not good news for Liverpool and most of the player’s other suitors.
Who is Liverpool target Leny Yoro?
Yoro is an 18-year-old defender who plies his trade for Ligue 1 club Lille and has represented France up to Under-21 level.
He began his football journey at the academies of Alfortville and Villeneuve-d’Ascq before linking up with Lille in 2017.
Yoro rose through the club’s ranks and has gone on to become an important first-team player, with 59 competitive appearances to his name already.
Goal.com listed Yoro at number 10 in their NxGn 2024 list of the top 50 young footballers in the world back in March. He is also the highest-ranked defender.
They wrote, quoting Lille boss Paulo Fonseca: ‘“Leny Yoro is extraordinary. Never in my career have I come across such a mature young man.”
‘Those the words of Lille manager Paulo Fonseca, who has overseen the development of one of Europe’s – if not the world’s – top defensive prospects, and whose performances are now set to kickstart a bidding war this summer.
‘Yoro, 18, has been likened to Raphael Varane and William Saliba after emerging in Ligue 1, with his unimposing physique hiding a player whose dribbling ability is superb for a centre-half.
‘Yoro routinely starts Lille attacks from the back by carrying the ball out of defence, while he has also popped up with the odd goal when attacking set-pieces.’
In addition, The Athletic‘s European correspondent Sebastian Stafford-Bloor has deemed Yoro ‘one of Europe’s best talents’.
Lille reportedly want around £43million for Yoro this summer, but with just a year left on his current deal, clubs could be hoping to land him at a reduced price.
