Rio Ferdinand has made an impassioned call for Manchester United to sign French prodigy Leny Yoro.
Dubbed the ‘next Virgil van Dijk’, the 18-year-old had an excellent season at Lille, prompting Europe’s leading clubs to show interest in his services.
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The centre-back, who made his debut for Lille at just 16 years of age, overtook Chelsea legend Eden Hazard to become the second youngest player to ever play for the Ligue 1 club.
Yoro has settled into the top league without any problems and quickly established himself as a regular player for the 2021 Ligue 1 champions.
The hype surrounding Yoro is in full swing and it seems that Ferdinand would be all in if Manchester United turned their attention to the teenager.
“There is an 18-year-old, I would like to take him to Manchester United,” Ferdinand told FIVE.
“If you see Leny Yoro, please accept Man United,” the former Red Devils defender pleaded. “Man United, please make the offer and please accept it because this boy has as much potential as anyone at the moment. [William] Saliba included.
“Physically he is not as developed (as Saliba), but he is a different type of centre-back. He is fast, he tries to catch and get forward. He can play, he is tall and agile.”
It’s easy to see why the Man United legend is a fan of Yoro, who resembles Ferdinand in style and physique.
Yoro plays with a confidence and self-assurance worthy of Ferdinand when he made his debut at West Ham.
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The Lille star has proven his quality in both domestic and European football, with arguably his best performance coming in a one-on-one duel with Kylian Mbappe in the 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain last December.
Yoro impressively matched Mbappe’s pace, limiting the battle with the 2018 World Cup winner to a few bouts in a duel that prompted PSG chiefs to make a bid for the defender in January.
Lille rejected PSG’s offers, preferring to keep the player until the summer, but now the secret is out and Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United have all joined the growing list of interested parties.
Real Madrid are currently the favourites for Yoro, who has reportedly been advised to stay at Lille for the upcoming season to pave the way for a free transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu next summer.
French football is in a new financial crisis after failing to secure a broadcasting deal before the new season begins in five weeks. Lille cannot afford to lose its most valuable asset for nothing.
A generous offer from Manchester United could change Yoro’s future, his departure within the next twelve months would be almost certain.