Real Madrid torn over summer move for key centre-back target - report
- Madrid are among the many admirers of Lille defender Leny Yoro
- Club officials have long scouted the teenager and many hope to seal a transfer this summer
- Chelsea and PSG known rivals in the race for Yoro's signature
By Tom Gott
Real Madrid officials are divided over whether to pursue a move for Lille centre-back Leny Yoro this summer, a report has claimed.
Madrid want a new centre-back this summer and are long-term admirers of Yoro who, at just 18 years old, has already established himself as one of the top young defenders in Europe.
Previous reports have suggested Yoro is keen to make the move to Madrid this summer, but according to ESPN, the Spanish side have not yet decided whether to bring the teenager in at the end of the season.
Madrid are prioritising moves for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe and Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies this summer, and some inside the club believe they should wait before trying to sign Yoro.
However, the obvious concern is that another rival could take advantage of their hesitance and sign Yoro immediately. Chelsea and PSG are both seen as genuine competitors for the France Under-21 international's signature.
Yoro's Lille contract runs until 2025 and so, if he declines to sign an extension, Lille may look to cash in this summer before running the risk of letting him leave for free 12 months later.
A fee of €50m (£43m) is expected to be enough to sign Yoro, despite previous claims that he command double that figure.
Madrid had not planned to rebuild their centre-back group this summer and were instead planning to wait until 2025, but fears that they could miss out on Yoro's signature may prompt them to make a bid this year.
It is said that Yoro has been in contact with a handful of Madrid players to ask questions about life at the Santiago Bernabeu, although a switch to Spain this summer is far from certain.
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