
Fabrizio Romano, a well-known transfer expert, has praised Manchester United for securing the signing of 18-year-old Leny Yoro, beating out La Liga champions Real Madrid.
Yoro, who had made 32 appearances in Ligue 1 for Lille during the 2023/24 season, was sought after by numerous European clubs. Despite strong links to several Premier League teams, Real Madrid was initially considered the frontrunner for Yoro’s signature.
However, Manchester United made a decisive move, outmaneuvering Real Madrid, who hesitated to pay a significant fee for a player nearing the end of his contract. United, demonstrating more aggressiveness, secured Yoro for approximately £52 million. Romano described this deal as “surprising” and “fantastic,” noting that Manchester United’s chances of signing Yoro were initially only 30-35%.
Romano recounted to Caught Offside his surprise at the turn of events, stating that until the final days of negotiations, Real Madrid seemed to be Yoro’s most likely destination.
He mentioned that if asked in the months leading up to the deal, both Yoro and the general consensus would have pointed towards Real Madrid. Yoro had seemingly prepared for a move to Madrid, agreeing to terms and planning his future with the club.
The situation shifted dramatically when Manchester United stepped in, finalizing the deal within ten days. Romano commended Manchester United for their strategic entry into the race and swift conclusion of the transfer.
He suggested that Real Madrid’s confidence and reluctance to match United’s financial offer ultimately cost them Yoro’s signature.
Romano highlighted that Real Madrid had assumed Yoro would wait for them, even if it meant until the expiration of his contract the following year. In contrast, Manchester United’s proactive approach, focusing on negotiations with Lille and subsequently convincing the player, proved to be the winning strategy.
Romano emphasized the element of surprise in the overall context of the transfer window, calling the signing a remarkable achievement for Manchester United.
In summary, Romano’s commentary underscores the unexpected nature of the transfer and the effectiveness of Manchester United’s approach in securing one of Europe’s promising young talents, despite the initial low odds and Real Madrid’s interest.
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