Why Liverpool, Man Utd and Real Madrid want Lille superstar Yoro

Leny Yoro’s rising profile has put him on the wanted list of every top team across Europe. 

Yoro has built on his breakthrough 2022/23 campaign, to play a key role in Les Dogues securing Champions League football for next season. 

The teenager ranked second for clearances and blocks, and third for accurate passes per 90 minutes among Paulo Fonseca’s men, contributing to Lille recording the third-best defensive record in Ligue 1. 

The Lille academy graduate is displaying the quality and potential that elite clubs are looking for in a centre-back. 

Real Madrid tend to operate only at the elite end of the player market, and their interest in Yoro should tell you all you need to know about his generational talent. 

Leny Yoro Transfer Value - how much is he worth now? 

According to FootballTransfer's Player Valuation Model, Yoro has a current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €28.5m. 

Playing over 3,500 minutes across all competitions last season has led to a significant rise in his value, making him the most expensive U18 defender in the world, narrowly edging out Pau Cubarsi of Barcelona. 

With his contract expiring in 12 months, Lille will be very open to a sale this summer. Liverpool, Manchester United, and PSG are actively pursuing a move for Yoro, but it looks likely that Real Madrid will ultimately win the race for the French U21 international. 

What does Yoro bring to the table? 

Yoro is a back-foot, ball-playing defender who operates as the last man in Lille’s four-man defence. This makes him an excellent fit alongside more aggressive centre-back profiles typically seen in elite modern teams. 

Playing in a Lille side with the second-highest possession rate in Ligue 1 provides him fewer opportunities to make tackles and interceptions. As a result, Yoro’s volume of defensive actions doesn't stand out.  

However, despite his passive approach, the Lille number 15 is very assertive in defensive duels, winning 72% of his tackles and 64.8% of his aerial duels. 

Young defenders tend to be a bit rash but the Frenchman commits fewer than one foul per 90, highlighting a maturity far beyond his years. 

At 1.90 metres, his dominance in the air also makes him a threat from offensive headers, putting him in the top 6% of defenders in the league for shots on target.  

Yoro’s mobility and athleticism are well-suited for the modern game. He excels at reading the game, quickly covering ground to sniff out danger and sweep up behind.  

On the ball, he exudes confidence and composure, attempting a solid 63.1 passes per 90 minutes at an impressive 92.2% completion rate. He rarely gets dispossessed and ranks high for both metrics compared to positional peers in the French top flight. 

Although Yoro can be cautious with his passing, he has shown the ability to attempt and complete more progressive and line-breaking passes critical for building up from deep.  

A similar caution is seen with his ball carrying, where he tends to be more risk-averse, but at just 18 years old, there is ample time to learn and improve. 

Potential at his age is determined by how quickly a young talent can progress to senior football and compete with the best players.  

Yoro not only stands out compared to players his age but also outperforms his seasoned peers.  

He already has the quality needed to step into the starting XI of a top team, but can also use another season to develop into a full-time first-choice. 

This pathway from being a top young talent to the finished product is not straightforward, and it will be interesting to see how Yoro navigates this journey.

This article was provided by FootballTransfers