Leny Yoro makes decision on Real Madrid & Liverpool interest - report

Lille centre-back Leny Yoro wants to join Real Madrid and is prepared to run down his contract to seal a free transfer next summer, a report has revealed.

18-year-old Yoro, who made his senior breakthrough in January 2023, is widely hailed as one of the top young centre-backs in world football and has attracted interest from a number of clubs as he enters the final year of his contract this summer.

Madrid and Liverpool are touted as the two leading suitors for his signature and, according to The Athletic, it is a move to Spain which interests Yoro most.

Officials at Madrid see Yoro as their top transfer priority this summer following the agreement to sign Kylian Mbappe, but there is a reluctance to spend big on a player who is available for free at the end of this coming season.

Lille are demanding a fee of around €60m (£51m) but Madrid will not go so high, with the European champions instead looking to pay a maximum of €40m (£34m) to secure Yoro's signature this summer.

If Lille do not lower their asking price, then Yoro would be open to letting his current contract expire to facilitate a switch to Madrid next summer, such is his desire to play for Los Blancos.

As for Liverpool, the Reds are exploring a move for a new centre-back following the departure of Joel Matip on a free transfer.

Currently, new manager Arne Slot can call on Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Jarell Quansah and the versatile Joe Gomez at centre-back.

Liverpool made their commitment to young Quansah clear when they refused to involve him in talks over Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, who is understood to remain keen on a move to Anfield.

Reports have linked Liverpool with Bologna's Riccardo Calafiori and Feyenoord's David Hancko.

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