Man Utd have taken the lead over Real Madrid in the race to sign Lille centre-back Leny Yoro in the summer transfer window, according to reports.

The Red Devils are desperate to sign a couple of new centre-backs in the summer to help Erik ten Hag improve his defence after last season’s disappointing eighth-placed finish in the Premier League.

Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt seems to be one of their top targets in that position after agreeing personal terms with the Netherlands international – but Man Utd are yet to agree a deal with the Bundesliga side.

Yoro has been preferring a move to Real Madrid over Manchester United throughout the summer transfer window and was even claimed to be prepared to wait until next year if necessary.

Now Man Utd are pushing for signing in the form of 18-year-old Yoro at Lille with a bid now accepted from the French side.

It had appeared that Real Madrid were leading the race to sign the young centre-back but the La Liga giants have not got anywhere near to the price that Man Utd are offering.

Speaking last week, French journalist Nabil Djellit wrote on X: “Info: Manchester United have made a written offer for Lenny Yoro of 50M € and bonuses. Accepted by Lille. It is clearly superior to Real Madrid’s proposal, far from having finalized the deal. The player’s priority remains Real but Manchester United pushes #Mercato.”

And Djellit has an update on Tuesday with Man Utd now negotiating a salary with the player and the journalist insists that Real Madrid have fallen “behind” in the race.

Djellit added: “Info (continued). Lille accepted offer of 50 + 12 (62M € £52m). Leny #Yoro is in negotiations with Manchester United on salary conditions. Favorable trend and open door to ManUtd. Real still there but behind. #Mercato.”

While Manchester United have agreed a deal worth €62m with Lille, Real Madrid are not willing to offer more than €20m at this stage.

A report yesterday insisted that Yoro has seen interest shown from Man Utd as ‘significant’ with the 18-year-old ‘touched by’ interest from Ten Hag.

With Real Madrid unwilling to spend big money on Yoro this summer, Manchester United’s persistence seems to be paying off.

The defender and his representatives are now in talks over agreeing on personal terms for the potential move

Real Madrid are still in the race but they are now trailing behind Manchester United in the pursuit of Yoro.

Manchester United have hit pause on the talks for Matthijs de Ligt and are now prioritising a move for the teenage Frenchman.

If they could get a deal over the line it might be considered the coup of the summer.