Everton Left Stunned by Manchester United’s £52m Bid for Leny Yoro
Manchester United’s pursuit of Lille defender Leny Yoro has left Everton scratching their heads, with a new report suggesting that the Toffees are stunned by the Red Devils’ willingness to shell out £52m for the 19-year-old.
Yoro is set to travel to the UK on Monday to undergo a medical and finalize personal terms with Manchester United, with The Athletic reporting that the Frenchman has "warmed to the idea" of joining the Premier League club.
The Athletic claims that Everton were surprised by United’s willingness to pay such a steep fee for Yoro, considering his age and lack of international experience. The fact that he plays in Ligue 1 has also raised eyebrows at Goodison Park.
A Big Money Deal in the Works
The agreement between Lille and United for an initial €62m (£52m) fee was reached last week, and it’s believed that Yoro has become a priority signing for the Red Devils. This news comes as a blow to Everton, who had been linked with a move for the young defender.
Everton’s valuation of Jarrad Branthwaite, who has been a target for Manchester United, has been set at between £70m and £80m. The Cumbrian defender enjoyed a breakout campaign with Sean Dyche’s side, and was included in the provisional England squad for Euro 2024 before being cut from Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad.
Everton’s Dilemma
Everton believe their valuation of Branthwaite is accurate considering the fees paid for Harry Maguire, Wesley Fofana, and Josko Gvardiol in recent years. However, Manchester United are yet to meet their asking price, and it remains to be seen whether they will be willing to up their bid.
The above doesn’t mean a deal for Branthwaite is all but over for United. The Athletic mention that the club are maintaining their admiration for both Matthijs de Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite, but it appears another arrival at Old Trafford will depend on departures.
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