Rio Ferdinand has taken to social media to comment on the news of Lille defender Leny Yoro’s impending transfer to Manchester United.
The 18-year-old is traveling to England to undergo a medical and finalize personal terms for a move to United worth up to £52 million.
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Lille accepted United’s offer of £42 million plus £10 million in add-ons for the 18-year-old French center-back last week, although there were concerns that Yoro preferred to join Real Madrid.
However, United acted quickly to complete the deal and hope to sign him on a five-year contract with the option to extend it by another 12 months.
Ferdinand last week encouraged Yoro to join United, saying: ‘If you’re looking Leny Yoro, please accept and come to Man United, please.
‘Man United, please, make the offer and please accept because this kid, I think his ceiling is as high as anybody right now, including (William) Saliba.’
The former Red Devils defender tweeted an eye and wink emoji on X, formerly known as Twitter, following the latest news on Yoro’s future.
United fans also took to social media to praise Yoro as a ‘generational talent’ after watching his highlights reel.
One fan wrote: ‘”Madrid always get what they want” but we’re now close to beating them to the Leny Yoro signing. We’re MAN UNITED!!’
A second fan posted: ‘He is at the right age with immense talent. Hopefully he will live up to expectations and becomes a stalwart at Man Utd. Good luck to him.’
A third said: ‘INEOS took over and got Manchester United to BEAT Real Madrid to the signing of Leny Yoro — a highly rated youngster — where Liverpool and PSG even gave up and pulled out because “no one competes with Real Madrid.” Sir Jim Ratcliffe, I’m SORRY for ever doubting you.’
Yoro, who made 41 appearances for Lille last season, was also attracting interest from Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
He is set to become United’s second signing of the summer after Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee moved to Old Trafford for £36.5 million.
Yoro had been waiting on Madrid to match United’s bid, but Lille pushed the defender to join the Red Devils with the Champions League winners unwilling to pay the fee.
He was Liverpool’s prime target as well, but the Reds are understood to have believed he only wanted to move to Spain.
Madrid were thought to be more interested in waiting to sign the 18-year-old next summer when he would have become a free agent, prompting Lille to push to finalize United’s deal sooner rather than later.
Yoro made his debut for the Lille reserve team in 2022, signing his first professional contract with the club in January of that year.
