Liverpool are getting ready for a busy summer, with vital changes expected both on and off the pitch. Arne Slot is set to take over as Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Anfield, and Richard Hughes will become the new sporting director. Alongside FSG’s Football Michael Edwards, Slot and Hughes aim to build on Klopp’s successful era, with many new signings and departures anticipated.
Liverpool needs to fix their defense. Joel Matip might leave when the season ends. There are also questions about Virgil van Dijk’s future at the club. Both Matip and van Dijk might move to Europe or Saudi Arabia.
A new report links Liverpool to Leny Yoro. Yoro is a top young defender from Lille. Many top teams want him, like Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle United, PSG, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid.
Lille has fixed an initial price tag of £39-43 million for Yoro, though a bidding battle could drive the final amount to higher. Premier League clubs are reportedly waiting to see if Yoro shows a preference for joining PSG or Real Madrid before making their bids.
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Leny Yoro began his football journey at the academies of Alfortville and Villeneuve-d’Ascq before joining Lille in 2017. He progressed through Lille’s youth system and has become an important first-team player, with 59 competitive appearances to his name. Currently, Yoro plays for France’s Under-21 team, managed by Thierry Henry, who has praised the young defender’s performances.
“What he is doing is great,” Henry said in November to Le10Sport. “Another young player who is having good games. Warren Zaire-Emery gets more notice at PSG, playing in the Champions League, he just joined the A team. But it’s true that Leny is doing a huge job right now.”
In March, Goal.com listed Yoro as number 10 in their NxGn 2024 list of the top 50 young footballers in the world, making him the highest-ranked defender. Lille manager Paulo Fonseca also had high praise for Yoro, stating, “Leny Yoro is extraordinary. Never in my career have I come across such a mature young man.”
Yoro has been compared to top defenders like Raphael Varane and William Saliba due to his impressive performances in Ligue 1. Despite his unimposing physique, Yoro is known for his superb dribbling ability as a center-half. He often initiates Lille’s attacks by carrying the ball out of defense and has even scored from attacking set-pieces.
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Liverpool’s interest in Yoro highlights their intent to secure one of the most promising young talents in football. If they can secure his signature, it would be a significant boost to their defensive options and a clear statement of their ambitions for the future.
