Liverpool set to face Real Madrid competition for teenage Ligue 1 breakout star

Liverpool are monitoring the situation surrounding highly-coveted LOSC Lille defender Leny Yoro amid interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain

LOSC Lille defender Leny Yoro is a transfer target for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain as Liverpool monitors the situation. Despite his young age, the 18-year-old established himself as the first-team regular and played a pivotal role for his team.

LOSC finished fourth in the Ligue 1 this season, qualifying for the Champions League qualifiers round for the next season. Yoro has not played at the senior level for his country France as several world-class defenders occupy the spot.

Nevertheless, the 18-year-old could easily break into the senior level if he continues to gain senior club-level experience and perform consistently. Standing at 1.90 metres, Yoro has all the physical and athletic attributes to thrive at the topmost level of football.

Lille's French defender #15 Leny Yoro celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the French L1 football match between Lille OSC (LOSC) and Toulouse FC (TFC) at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France on November 12, 2023. (Photo by Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP) (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images) — Lille’s French defender #15 Leny Yoro celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the French L1 football match between Lille OSC (LOSC) and Toulouse FC (TFC) at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, northern France on November 12, 2023. (Photo by Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP) (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite his young age, he has shown maturity and relied more on his intelligence and other important mental aspects. Yoro’s biggest strength is his positioning sense and reading of the game when the opposition owns the ball.

The French U23 is comfortable in possession of the ball as LOSC prefer to lure the opponents out of defence. The French side plays a lot of passes in the middle and their defence plays a crucial role in possession.

Yoro still has a lot of raw potential to develop, and gaining senior experience helps him. French publication Le Parisien reported that Liverpool are monitoring the transfer saga that involves PSG and Real for Yoro.

🚨⚪️ Real Madrid’s main target for new centre back remains Leny Yoro, also with Nacho now expected to leave as free agent.

❗️ Real Madrid already had contacts with Yoro’s agent Mendes, knowing about the competition from PSG.

Lille’s final decision on price tag will be key. pic.twitter.com/oRr4PAyguP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 19, 2024

The 18-year-old has made 44 appearances in all competitions for LOSC this season, contributing with three goals. His disciplinary record has been spectacular with only five yellow cards despite his young age, showcasing his maturity.

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Liverpool lost Joel Matip as a free agent and they cannot rely on Ibrahima Konate due to his injury record. The rise of Jarell Quansah has saved a lot of money but they need a centre-back signing during the summer. Yoro could be a fantastic signing for the Reds, but PSG and Real’s financial power makes them the firm favourite.