Real Madrid very optimistic about signing 18-year-old top centre-back target | OneFootball

Real Madrid are working hard to wrap up their transfer business at the earliest possible. After closing the signing of Kylian Mbappe as a free agent, the Merengues are trying to land his compatriot, Leny Yoro from Lille.

The 18-year-old is seen as the top target to reinforce the centre-back position this summer following the departure of Nacho Fernandez following the expiry of his contract.

While things are going well on the player side, Real Madrid are encountering some problems in negotiations with Lille due to the French club’s €70 million asking price for the defender.

Optimism growing

However, there may be some good news on the horizon as journalist Mario Cortegana (h/t Madrid Zone) reports that Real Madrid are now very optimistic about signing Leny Yoro.

As mentioned earlier, things are going very smoothly as far as the player is concerned, with reports even suggesting that Yoro and Real Madrid have an agreement in principle.

Leny Yoro only wants Real Madrid. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)

The fact that Yoro’s contract stands to expire in 2025 and he has no intentions of renewing it puts Lille in a difficult position.

If they do not relent from their demands and Yoro ends up staying put, they would risk losing him for free next year when his contract runs down – a scenario that they wish to avoid.

And with Yoro refusing to negotiate with any other club apart from Real Madrid, the Ligue 1 outfit will likely have to yield and agree to lower their demands for the 18-year-old centre-back.

Given the situation, it makes sense that Real Madrid are confident and optimistic about closing the deal for the teenage centre-back prodigy.

Having suffered from injuries in the defensive department last season, it is imperative that the reigning Spanish and European champions ensure there is adequate depth in the position. And signing Yoro would be a step in that direction.