Leny Yoro to Man Utd takes unexpected turn as transfer 'threat' comes to light

Leny Yoro was reportedly threatened with being banished to the stands for a year if he did not sign for Manchester United this summer. The 18-year-old is due to be announced as a new Red Devils signing after completing his medical on Wednesday.

United successfully convinced Yoro to sign despite rival interest from Real Madrid, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. The Bernabeu was his preferred destination earlier this summer and he was at Wembley to watch Los Blancos beat Borussia Dortmund in June’s Champions League final.

A £52million transfer fee will be paid to Lille and Yoro will be due a healthy salary at Old Trafford, leaving Real to lick their wounds after missing out on a player deemed to be a generational talent.

According to Spanish news outlet Marca, Lille pushed Yoro towards United’s lucrative proposal. Real had not indicated a willingness to put the same amount of cash on the table and they were believed to have one eye on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.

The report indicates that Yoro was even threatened with not playing for a year if he did not accept United’s offer, which is set to leave Lille in a solid financial position. The youngster has already banked more than 70 senior appearances in central defence despite the fact he won’t turn 19 until November.

Yoro was a regular in Lille’s back-line last campaign, featuring in 44 games across all competitions and scoring three goals.

The Frenchman will arrive at United as a long-term replacement for Raphael Varane. And the signing takes the pressure off Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co., who are also believed to be looking at Matthijs De Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite as potential centre-back options.

With United’s new sporting department eager to make a good impression this summer, fans have not had to wait long for incomings and outgoings. Joshua Zirkzee has been signed for £36.5m from Bologna to bolster Erik ten Hag’s attacking options.

Omari Forson has left on a free transfer, while United were able to fetch fees for fringe players Donny van de Beek, Alvaro Fernandez and Willy Kambwala. Varane, Anthony Martial, Shola Shoretire and Brandon Williams were all released upon the expiration of their contracts at the end of June.

United have also agreed a £26.7m deal with Marseille for Mason Greenwood as Ten Hag aims for an overall improvement in his third season at the helm.