Liverpool poised to make Leny Yoro transfer move if Real Madrid bid falters

Liverpool are keeping a close eye on the situation of Leny Yoro with Real Madrid leading the chase for the highly-rated Lille defender.

The 18-year-old Yoro has emerged as one of the most sought-after youngsters in Europe following a breakthrough season with the French team.

The Reds are among a number of clubs including Premier League rivals Manchester United to hold a long-standing interest in Yoro, who made his Ligue 1 debut in May 2022 when aged just 16 - the second-youngest debutant in Lille's history.

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But they are of the belief the player favours a move to Real Madrid, with the Champions League holders having moved into pole position to sign the teenager.

Liverpool were unable to match the lure of the European Super League advocates in their pursuits of Aurelien Tchouameni in 2022 and Jude Bellingham last year.

However, with reports in Spain claiming Real have set a fee for Yoro and won't be held to ransom by Lille's demands, Liverpool will be ready to intensify their interest should the player's prospective move falter.

The French side initially slapped a €100million price tag on the defender, although with the player out of contract at the end of next season that has since dropped to around €60m. Real, though, value him at nearer €40m. Lille would prefer to sell Yoro this summer rather than run the risk of him walking away as a free agent in 12 months.

Yoro is represented by the Gestifute agency, which also counts Liverpool forwards Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota among their clients. They also have Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

Regardless of what happens with Yoro, Liverpool are determined to sign a centre-back this summer following the departure of Joel Matip. While Academy graduate Jarell Quansah is now a fully-fledged first-team option, skipper Virgil van Dijk is in his thirties, Ibrahima Konate has been injury prone and Joe Gomez has transformed himself into a versatile utility player.