Ratcliffe prepared to land £112m duo, with pair ‘live’ targets despite big addition. Just the deal 🤝😔🤝🤝 for leny yoro is completed the British billionaire is splashing millions to more players to squad
After securing centre-back Leny Yoro, Manchester United continues to pursue two additional defenders, with a combined price tag of £112 million.
In the wake of Raphael Varane’s departure, United has placed significant emphasis on bolstering their centre-back options. Varane, a four-time Champions League champion, will be notably missed despite his inconsistent performances in his latter United years.
While the club’s first summer acquisition was striker Joshua Zirkzee, their second signing, Yoro, is a central defender. United successfully persuaded Yoro to join despite strong interest from Real Madrid, with the promise of regular playing time that the La Liga side could not guarantee.
Yoro is expected to become a key figure in United’s defence next season. Although Lisandro Martinez is likely to start when fit, and Harry Maguire had a solid 2023/24 season, the three centre-backs may be rotated throughout the season.
However, Yoro might not be the only centre-back addition this summer. Before his signing, United explored options such as Jarrad Branthwaite and Matthijs de Ligt, with the latter being a primary target for manager Erik ten Hag.
Despite the initial bid for Branthwaite falling short of Everton’s £70 million asking price and the recent £52 million expenditure on Yoro, reports suggest that United is still interested in these defenders. Dharmesh Sheth has confirmed that Branthwaite and De Ligt remain viable targets.
Sheth also indicated that while the focus might shift to other areas of the squad, further departures in defence could prompt renewed efforts to secure these players. With potential sales of defenders like Maguire, who could fetch around £35 million, United may have the financial means to pursue additional targets, though signing both Branthwaite and De Ligt seems unlikely.
