Leny Yoro wants to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid
Last summer, Leny Yoro seemed convinced. The young French centre-back chose Manchester United over a move to Real Madrid, ignoring the firm interest of Florentino Pérez and the hierarchy at Valdebebas. A year later, the situation has shifted dramatically. Yoro, who has struggled to adapt to life in England, has reportedly reached out to his agent, Jorge Mendes, to explore a potential exit as soon as possible. The defender is well aware that Real Madrid still need a centre-back and that he was once a priority target. Now, he wants to return to the radar, but the final decision is far from straightforward.
According to Defensa Central, Yoro has expressed his desire to leave Manchester United after a disappointing stint at Old Trafford. The 19-year-old, who arrived last summer from Lille for €60 million, has not settled into English football and is now eyeing a move to Madrid. Back then, Real Madrid’s interest was clear, Florentino Pérez, José Ángel Sánchez, and Juni Calafat had earmarked him as a key signing. However, the deal never materialised, and Yoro ended up in Manchester.
Now, the dynamics have changed. Real Madrid remain in the market for a centre-back, but they are reluctant to pay a hefty fee. Meanwhile, United are not keen to sell so soon after making such a substantial investment. If the club is forced to negotiate under pressure from the player, they will likely demand no less than the €60 million they initially paid, a price that complicates any potential deal.
At Valdebebas, there is no sense of urgency regarding Leny Yoro. Real Madrid are taking a measured approach, considering multiple defensive options while carefully assessing factors such as contract length and the willingness of selling clubs to negotiate. As a result, Yoro is not currently a priority target.
Moreover, the young Frenchman’s underwhelming performances in England have raised doubts among Madrid’s decision-makers. Instead, their primary focus is on William Saliba, although that deal is also proving complicated. Los Blancos previously opted against signing Dean Huijsen to maintain financial flexibility for Saliba, underscoring how highly they rate the Arsenal centre-back.
For now, Madrid are prepared to wait. If the conditions to sign Saliba are not favourable, they will hold off on major defensive reinforcements rather than making a hasty move for Yoro, whose value has yet to justify the €60 million United paid last summer.
Yoro’s strengths are evident. The 19-year-old French centre-back possesses exceptional crossing speed and impressive anticipation, traits that set him apart among young defenders. He is calm and composed on the ball, making smart, uncomplicated decisions in possession. Despite his age, Yoro demonstrates leadership and command of the defensive line, qualities that would fit well in a Real Madrid team that values centre-backs who can both defend aggressively and play out from the back.
However, his lack of consistency has been a concern. While his potential is clear, Yoro has struggled to find stability at Manchester United, and it has taken a toll on his performances. The Premier League’s physicality and tactical demands have not aligned well with his skill set, leaving him unsettled and longing for a more suitable environment, like Madrid, where the style of play may be more conducive to his strengths.
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Yoro was enticed by the allure of the Premier League and didn’t wait for a project like Madrid, which arguably would have suited him better. Now, he wants to correct that course. But United won’t let him go easily. Having invested €60 million just a year ago, they are within their rights to demand a substantial fee to recoup their investment.
Nevertheless, if Yoro’s desire to leave is strong and he is not mentally committed, he could become a burden on the squad. The ideal scenario would be to negotiate a sensible deal, recouping part of the investment while identifying a replacement who genuinely wants to stay and fight for a place. Forcing a player to stay rarely produces positive results, and United may be better off cutting their losses and redirecting resources to someone more aligned with Amorim’s long-term plans.