Manchester United have reportedly distanced themselves from rumours that they have submitted a £50.7million bid for Lille defender Leny Yoro.
Reports in France last week had mooted that the club had tabled the proposal for the 18-year-old, who is also being linked with Real Madrid and Liverpool. United are looking for two new centre-backs this summer amid Raphael Varane’s end-of-contract exit.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, priced between £70m and £80m, is of interest as is 25-year-old Bayer Leverkusen centre-half Edmond Tapsoba. Meanwhile, Jonny Evans, 36, is in talks over a renewal deal ahead of his contract expiring this month.
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Evans is seen as a mentor for the likes of 19-year-old centre-back Willy Kambwala and other youngsters in the squad, having come through the United academy himself. He would also be a guide for Yoro, who doesn’t turn 19 until November.
However, The Metro says United deny submitting a bid for the Frenchman, who has just a year left on his Lille contract. The report, though, does state that the club hold an interest in him and could submit an enquiry in the coming weeks.
Another option could be Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio, who has been connected with a Premier League switch. A Bola claims United are the main interests in the transfer race and have been told how much they would need to dish out.
Sporting are reportedly holding firm over Incanio’s reported £50.5m release clause and will not accept anything less. The 22-year-old only signed a four-year renewal last year, giving his employers more leeway in negotiations.
Any move for Incaio will be stunted by his involvement in Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign this summer. Sporting, although stubborn over their price tag, are apparently accepting that their defender could move on if the right offer does arrive.