Leny Yoro to Man Utd: Ex-Lille manager's 79-word transfer prediction 'close' to becoming reality

Former Lille boss Paulo Fonseca always believed Manchester United target Leny Yoro would earn a move to a big club amid reports the highly-rated defender is set for a medical at Old Trafford.

United agreed a deal worth up to £52m for the 18-year-old last week but the transfer appeared unlikely given Yoro’s preference to move to Real Madrid. However, Los Blancos wanted to make their swoop for the player in 12 months time, when Yoro was out of contract.

However, Yoro is now on his way to England for a medical with the Red Devils as Lille seek to bank a sizeable fee for the player this summer, rather than risk losing him for free at the end of the season. Lille’s club president Oliver Letang has been public with his desire for Yoro to move this summer and has reportedly been pushing for a transfer to be finalised with the Red Devils. It could prove an exciting signing of United are able to get it over the line.

Yoro debuted for Lille in May 2022 and is the second youngest player in the club’s history. Fonseca joined the Ligue 1 club ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, with Yoro becoming a regular starter under Fonseca as he made 44 appearances last term. Fonseca left Lille by mutual consent at the start of June and then joined Serie A giants AC Milan.

Speaking during last campaign, Fonseca backed Yoro to secure a big move and for him to become one of the best defenders in world football

He said previously: "I believe Leny [Yoro] in the next year will be at one of the best clubs in Europe. He started here at 16 with us. He is very ambitious but very disciplined. He grew a lot but he is a kid with a big maturity, with big quality. He's very focused, very concentrated, he wants to learn every day and I have no doubt in modern football he will be one of the best central defenders in the world."