Chelsea are interested in signing Lille’s rising star Leny Yoro.
That is according to a report from 90min.
They claim that Chelsea are closely monitoring Leny Yoro, who’s already a first-team star at such a young age.
The 17-year-old defender has started the previous seven consecutive Ligue 1 games for French side Lille. In fact, he became their second-youngster debutant at the time, overtaking Eden Hazard, when he made his senior debut at the back end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Chelsea in chasing pack
90min claimed on Thursday that Chelsea scouts have been super impressed by Yoro after watching his performances in Lille’s first-team.
It is understood that Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund have all tracked the youngster. Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool are aware of the centre-back’s quality, too.
The report says Lille want to extend their defender’s current deal, which is due to expire in the summer of 2025.
If Chelsea decide to launch an official move for Yoro, they’re likely to approach a deal in the same way they negotiated the transfers of Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku in recent times. The plan would be to allow Yoro to remain in Lille for the rest of the season before joining up with the Blues squad at Stamford Bridge next summer.
Leny Yoro discussion
On paper, this is another deal which fits the current Chelsea mould of signing the best youngsters in the sport.
The French talent deserves huge credit for what he’s doing in Lille’s side right now at the age of 17.
However, do the Blues really need to go down the route of signing yet another centre-half?
We’re happy that the likes of Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi provide quality long-term options at centre-back for Chelsea. For now, they’ve still got 39-year-old veteran Thiago Silva shining in the line-up, too.
Bashir Humphreys, who’s just 20, is a Chelsea-owned defender currently impressing out on loan at Swansea City. Perhaps there’s no reason for the club to keep stockpiling in the heart of defence.
Journalist Liam Twomey told The Athletic that there’s a strong hope Humphreys may be propelled into Chelsea’s first team next season.
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