Manchester United have reached an agreement with Lille to sign Leny Yoro for around 45 million euros ($48.7 million) amid significant interest in the player from La Liga champions Real Madrid, sources told ESPN.
Madrid remain confident of winning the race for the young centre-back due to the player's desire to play in the The whitesThe sources added, although Madrid have not yet submitted a formal offer to sign the French star and are hoping to reach an agreement with Lille for a slightly lower fee.
Sources also told ESPN that United are aware of the player's preference to play for Madrid but hope to force Lille's hand with a more substantial offer.
Paris Saint-Germain have also shown interest in the 18-year-old, but Madrid remain optimistic as they have had an agreement with the player for some time, sources told ESPN.
Yoro's contract with Lille expires in June 2025 and he has no intention of renewing it, so the French club need to sell him this summer to avoid losing him for free next summer.
Yoro made his debut for Lille at the end of the 2021-22 season and quickly caught the eye, with Madrid sources highlighting his physique and ball skills.
The defender is already a French under-21 international, although he was left out of Thierry Henry's final squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics football tournament.
Meanwhile, Madrid need to strengthen their defence after Nacho decided to join Saudi club Al Qadsiah after his contract expired.
Carlo Ancelotti is counting on Antonio Rüdiger to lead the defence, with Éder Militão and David Alaba returning after missing much of last season with serious injuries.
However, they are still looking for another defender after the decision to sell Rafa Marín to Napoli, who was on loan at Alavés last season.
ESPN's Rob Dawson contributed to this report.
