Leny Yoro 'informs Liverpool of transfer decision' after 'agreement reached'

While Liverpool would have been prepared to pounce if Real Madrid's transfer move for Lille wonderkid Leny Yoro broke down, it has felt for a while like a move to Spain was inevitable for the 18-year-old.

And Yoro has already definitively informed all interested parties (including Liverpool) that he only wants to join Real Madrid this summer, according to The Athletic. That was thought to be the case anyway, with the Reds, Manchester United and PSG all monitoring the $54m (£42m/€50m)-rated teenager closely after he made 44 appearances at senior level last season.

With his contract running out next summer, the Ligue 1 side is keen to cash in now rather than lose him for nothing. But Real Madrid is reluctant to meet the asking price as things stand.

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Despite that, it is expected that Yoro will sign for Los Blancos. The French outlet Sports Zone reported last week that Yoro had eyes only for Madrid, so much so that he would be prepared to wait a year and move next summer if necessary, and that he had already got an agreement completely in place with the player.

If Liverpool cannot do a deal for Yoro, the ECHO has reported that it may not sign an alternative and does not currently view the center-back position as being a priority. But with Joel Matip leaving at the end of his contract, Ibrahima Konate injury-prone, and Joe Gomez having spent most of last season playing at full-back, that would be a risk.

There is also no news yet on a new contract for Virgil van Dijk, with the Liverpool captain turning 33 this summer. Signing a long-term replacement for the Dutch stalwart needs to become a priority sooner rather than later given his age, regardless of whether he pens a new deal and how long that contract extension might tie him down for.

Liverpool.com says: A defensive signing is a must for the Reds this summer, otherwise they will be taking a big risk. In Arne Slot's first summer in charge, in particular, taking transfer gambles should not be on the agenda.

The new head coach needs enough options with so many games coming as Liverpool's aim should be challenging for the Premier League title and going far in the Champions League. You can't do that with a limited pool of center-back options.