Liverpool have maintained their interest in Lille centre-back Leny Yoro, according to RMC Sport reporter Fabrice Hawkins.
The usually reliable journalist claims that the Reds are “monitoring the matter closely” with the defender set to leave Lille this summer.
There will be competition for Yoro’s services, with Paris Saint-Germain said to be pushing hard to sign the teenager, while Real Madrid are also in the mix.
Other Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Chelsea, have been mentioned as potential suitors for the Frenchman over recent months but Hawkins only namechecked Liverpool in his report.
Yoro’s price tag has come down
It was suggested back in January that Lille were holding out for as much as €90m (£77m) for Yoro but the 18-year-old is closing in on the final year of his contract.
Hawkins claims a deal in the region of €60m (£51m), including bonuses, would now be accepted, which is a figure that you can see Liverpool paying, considering the player’s undoubted talent.
Why are Liverpool interested in the centre-half?
Although the Merseyside club are not expected to do a lot of business this summer, they are scouring the market to strengthen their options in the middle of defence.
It has already been confirmed that Joel Matip will leave on a free transfer when his contract expires next month. Furthermore, a long-term replacement for captain Virgil van Dijk is needed.
The Dutchman will turn 33 in July and his current deal is set to expire in 2025. Signing someone like Yoro, who has massive potential, would help soften the blow if and when van Dijk departs.
With Lille having now set Yoro’s valuation, it seems likely that teams will press ahead with bids for the defender over the next few weeks. Liverpool could well be among them.
