Leny Yoro ‘threatened’ with ban before completing Manchester United transfer as report sheds light on transfer saga

New Manchester United signing Leny Yoro was reportedly forced to join the Red Devils by Lille this summer. The teenage defender has put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Old Trafford after impressing at his boyhood club.

Reports from Spanish outlet Marca reveal that Yoro was threatened with a year on the sidelines if he didn't accept to join Manchester United. The young defender was more interested in a move to Spain, having reached a verbal agreement on personal terms with Real Madrid.

Yoro came into the limelight in the 2023-24 season, attracting interest since the first half of the season. Multiple top sides were interested in signing the precocious teenager, but only Real Madrid and United remained keen.

Real Madrid reached an agreement with the youngster but failed to offer what his club could consider as fair value for him. Los Blancos were hopeful of landing him for free in 2025, as he had just one year left in his contract in France.

Manchester United spotted an opportunity to hijack the deal and did so, offering a fee in excess of £50 million for the 18-year-old. The Spanish side were offering less than half of this amount, but Lille stood firm and accepted the English side's bid. Yoro kept waiting for the European champions to return to the negotiating table, but they never did, causing him to join the Red Devils.

Lille got the hefty sum they desired from the Leny Yoro transfer, and the player has been unveiled by Manchester United.

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Former Manchester United star sends message to Leny Yoro following transfer

Manchester United academy graduate Angel Gomes has sent a message to Leny Yoro after his transfer to the English side was confirmed. The teenage defender completed a big-money move to Old Trafford after impressing for Lille in the 2023-24 season.

Gomes played alongside Yoro at Lille and shared his thoughts on the transfer via X after Lille announced the move. He referred to Yoro as his brother and urged him to show the world what he can do.

"🥲🥹 !!! My lil bro, go show the world!"

Leny Yoro was included in the Ligue 1 team of the season for 2023-24 after shining for Lille.

The youngster will now bolster the backline of Erik ten Hag's side after they conceded a whopping 58 goals last season. The youngster is regarded as a generational talent and will replace Raphael Varane, who left this summer.