Leny Yoro decision confirmed that could anger Thierry Henry amid Liverpool transfer attempts

Liverpool, like all clubs, will be looking to conduct its business as swiftly as it can in this transfer window. The presence of both a European Championship and Copa America will not make that process simple.

Those tournaments are not the only show in town this summer either. There is also the Olympics in Paris, with 16 nations competing in the men’s competition and 12 in the women’s. It is essentially a youth team tournament, with squads mainly comprised of under-23-year-olds, though three overage players are permitted.

With Argentina, Spain and France involved on the men’s side, this means that some very talented young footballers will be playing in the competition, which runs from July 24 to August 10. It is the latter of these three countries which could have the greatest impact upon the Reds’ transfer plans, though they have been handed a reprieve of sorts with regards to one reported target.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Luis Diaz claim, Leny Yoro updates, Mohamed Salah latest

READ MORE: Roy Keane reignites Andy Robertson feud after branding Liverpool star 'big baby'

Liverpool is interested in signing Lille defender Leny Yoro. The 18-year-old, who is statistically similar to Arsenal center-back William Saliba (according to FBRef), has just completed his first full season in Ligue 1. His performances were suitably impressive that he was selected for the Team of the Year, an XI inevitably dominated by Paris Saint-Germain and containing the likes of Kylian Mbappe.

Yoro has yet to make his debut for the France national team, so isn’t in the squad for Euro 2024. However, he played for his country’s under-23 side in March – in a 3-2 win over Ivory Coast – and had been selected by their manager Thierry Henry for the Olympics.

This would put an obvious dent in any attempts to sign the player in time for pre-season, be that Liverpool or anyone else (and Real Madrid are also reportedly interested). The tournament ends one week before the new Premier League season starts and France will expect to do well on home turf.

The Olympics is not like senior tournaments, though, in that clubs do not have to release their players. Lille have withdrawn Yoro and he is not alone – it was confirmed earlier this week that he was one of six Frenchmen who have been blocked from taking part.

Whether Yoro’s club has done this to facilitate a sale remains to be seen. Either way, Henry is unlikely to be impressed by the move. With only one year remaining on the young star's contract, Lille will need to sell him this summer if he won’t agree to a new deal.

Liverpool.com says: Lille may simply feel that Yoro needs a break after his first full season. Playing at Euro 2024 would be one thing, but the Olympics is not as important. Liverpool will be monitoring developments with keen interest.