Liverpool’s pursuit of Lille centre-back Leny Yoro seems to have come to an end, as the player has expressed his desire to join Real Madrid. Initially, Liverpool was waiting in case a deal with Real fell through. However, according to The Athletic’s Mario Cortegana, Yoro has informed Real Madrid of his intention to join the club and is satisfied with the proposed personal terms. While a deal has not been finalized and there have been no direct conversations between Real and Lille, Yoro is willing to wait for the move to materialize. Despite Real Madrid offering around €40 million instead of Lille’s asking price of €60 million, Yoro is open to joining the club either this summer or next, depending on whether a deal can be struck. Given that Yoro’s contract with Lille expires next summer, he could potentially wait for a free transfer to Real if no agreement is reached.
Liverpool had viewed Yoro as a generational talent and a rare opportunity, separate from their plans for the transfer window. The Liverpool Echo suggests that signing another center-back is not an immediate priority for the club, although this remains to be confirmed.
It is worth noting that Yoro would be the third high-profile target to choose Real Madrid over Liverpool in recent years. In 2022, Aurelien Tchouameni joined Real Madrid, followed by Jude Bellingham a year later.
The news of Yoro’s preference for Real Madrid raises questions about Liverpool’s transfer strategy and their ability to secure their top targets. While Liverpool has been successful in building a strong squad in recent years, they have faced challenges in convincing certain players to choose Anfield over other top clubs. This trend could be attributed to various factors such as the allure of playing for Real Madrid, Liverpool’s financial constraints compared to other clubs, or the players’ personal preferences.
Yoro’s potential move to Real Madrid also highlights the competitive nature of the transfer market, particularly for young talents. Clubs like Real Madrid have a strong reputation for nurturing and developing young players, which can be an attractive proposition for players like Yoro. As clubs vie for the best talent, they must be prepared to face stiff competition and potentially lose out on their desired signings.
Liverpool will now need to reassess their options and identify alternative targets to strengthen their squad. While signing another center-back may not be an immediate priority, it is essential for Liverpool to continue reinforcing their squad to maintain their competitiveness in domestic and European competitions. The club’s recruitment team will likely be working diligently to identify suitable candidates who can contribute to Liverpool’s success in the coming seasons.