Liverpool ready to hand wonderkid target bigger salary than five first team regulars

New Liverpool manager Arne Slot could run the risk of upsetting a host of current first team players if the club pushes through their attempt to sign Lille star Leny Yoro. The 18-year-old burst onto the scene in France during the 2023/24 campaign, with his form rewarded by being named in the French footballers’ union Ligue 1 team of the season.

The under-21 international played 44 times for his club in all competitions, earning him selection for his country’s squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

However, Yoro has since withdrawn from the squad for the games, underlining his importance to Bruno Genesio’s side.

But fending off Europe’s elite clubs is going to prove difficult this summer, given Yoro’s contract expires in 2025. And unless they can force him to sign a new long-term deal this summer, they risk losing the precocious talent on a free transfer in 12 months.

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are prepared to offer the star a lucrative contract worth £125,000 a week. The Reds are in need of defensive reinforcements following the departure of Joel Matip, while Virgil van Dijk is yet to commit his future beyond the summer of 2025.

While Yoro would undoubtedly signify a welcome addition to the Merseyside club, the reported wages would raise eyebrows. Lille’s second youngest ever player would be earning more than five established first team squad members, including Dominik Szoboszlai who only moved from RB Leipzig last summer for a £60m fee.

According to Capology, Szoboszlai earns £120,000-a-week, with his deal running until 2028. Like the Hungarian, Cody Gakpo is currently at Euro 2024 with the Dutch national side, and is also said to be on the same wages as his club team-mate.

Andy Robertson meanwhile, who signed for Jurgen Klopp in 2017, is listed as taking home £100,000-a-week. That’s despite Scotland’s captain having helped the club to the Champions League, Premier League title, FA and League Cup since arriving from Hull, as well as the European Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup.

Robertson’s current deal has another two years to run, but perhaps most significant is the potential difference between the money made by Yoro and fellow centre back Joe Gomez. The arrival of the teenager would throw the future of Gomez, 27, into fresh doubt with Vincent Kompany keen to take the Englishman to Bayern Munich.

Gomez is said to be paid £80,000-a-week, with three years left on his contract. And the arrival of Yoro, not to mention the finances involved, could risk sending the signal to the Charlton youth product that he’s not part of Slot’s first team plans.

Colombian winger Luis Diaz meanwhile, who has dismissed speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona, is reported as being on just £55,000-a-week. He too is set to stay until at least 2027.

Yoro would signify a long-term investment for PSG, potentially justifying the club paying him more than a host of established stars. He would still fall way short of the money made by Liverpool’s top earner though, with Mohamed Salah taking that berth on a mammoth £350,00-a-week.