Manchester United harbour interest in Matthijs de Ligt (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United have prioritised the signing of Leny Yoro over Matthijs de Ligt after baulking at Bayern Munich’s asking price.
Strengthening in central defence represents a priority for Erik ten Hag over the course of the summer following the departure of Raphael Varane.
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are also expected to depart, while youngster Willy Kambwala’s move to Villarreal was confirmed earlier this week.
Veteran Jonny Evans has signed a new 12-month contract extension and Lisandro Martinez will hope to avoid another injury-ravaged campaign.
Reinforcements, however, are required and United have not ruled out the possibility of signing three new central defenders in one window.
A move for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite has been put on the backburner after United had two bids rejected earlier this month.
The Toffees’ need to sell to balance the books isn’t as pressing as it was, too, now that they have agreed the £50million sale of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa.
Manchester United are set to complete the signing of Leny Yoro from Lille (Picture: Getty)
Yoro, meanwhile, appeared destined to sign for his first choice, Real Madrid, but the Spanish giants’ unwillingness to pay Lille’s asking price has opened the door for United.
The Red Devils are now on the verge of signing one of Europe’s hottest talents with a medical set to take place imminently.
Whether or not they reignite their interest in De Ligt later in the window remains to be seen but for now, at least, Bayern’s €50m plus add-ons valuation is deemed too steep, according to Sky Germany.
The Netherlands international’s career has stalled of late and appears to have been deemed surplus to requirements by Bayern having joined the German giants from Juventus two yeas ago.
De Ligt was earmarked as a potential United signing after he made his breakthrough at Ajax under Ten Hag, but opted for a move to Serie A instead of the Premier League.
Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.