Leny Yoro, who is only eighteen, has already made fifty appearances for Lille’s first squad in official capacity. In the Conference League match against Sturm Graz last Thursday, he achieved the milestone. On Sunday, he will look to add to that total against Brest. The defender can’t help but pay attention to what’s going on around him, even though his main focus is football. He’s actually already participated in it.

Much speculation has been made in recent months about the interest he is attracting from teams like PSG, Chelsea, or Real Madrid. The Saint-Maurice athlete is extremely clear about what he wants out of life and has made the ‘Merengues’ his next goal, according to the daily ‘Marca’. Yoro reportedly told the Lille board up front that he wants to play in the Spanish capital the following season.

All of this works to concentrate the operation on the side that interests Real Madrid. The media reported earlier claims that the board of the French team was requesting a transfer fee of over 100 million euros for the center back, but the player and his group are attempting to negotiate a lower price and a more reasonable amount.

First off, in spite of the club’s efforts, Yoro is refusing to extend his contract. Lille’s contract with the France U21 international expires on June 30, 2025, meaning that this summer would be the final one in which Lille can receive payment for him. Real Madrid, who have Alphonso Davies under contract, is pursuing a transfer fee of no more than thirty to forty million euros.

Jorge Mendes’ involvement is one of the factors that has been involved. The board of Madrid initially viewed the Portuguese as a dаnger because of the recent deterioration in their relationship. The Portuguese agent has previously spoken with Real Madrid to discuss this trade, so he won’t be a hindrance. Let us not forget that he still has players in the ‘Merengues’ youth academy, including Paulo Iago in his childhood.

Leny Yoro’s camp has been contacted by emissaries from PSG and Chelsea, and his response is consistent: he is thinking about Real Madrid exclusively. After several years of early maturity, he is making an impression this season and has established himself in Paulo Fonseca’s starting eleven. At the age of sixteen, he made his debut in May 2022. Now eighteen, he is commanding the French club’s defense line, finishing fourth in Ligue 1 and a quarterfinalist in the Conference League. The Spanish giants are making every effort to persuade him and his squad that he has the potential to be something special, despite his height of 1.90 meters.