Real Madrid put off by defender's €60 million price tag, prepared to wait to sign him for free in 2025: Reports
Real Madrid have reportedly shelved the idea of roping in top target Leny Yoro this summer due to the LOSC Lille star's high asking price.
Since the turn of the year, Yoro has turned heads with his brilliant performances at the heart of Lille's backline. He has started 39 of his 43 overall appearances for his team this season, helping them record 20 shutouts and scoring three goals across competitions so far.
A towering right-footed centre-back, Yoro is believed to have been on Los Blancos' radar for quite a while. He has been identified as a successor to Nacho Fernandez, who is likely to be released in June this year.
Now, according to MARCA, Real Madrid are unlikely to launch a move to sign Yoro despite being interested in a summer transfer. They believe Lille's €60 million price tag to be too exorbitant and are willing to wait to add the player to their squad on a free switch in 2025.
Should Lille compromise and Yoro join Real Madrid this summer, he would emerge as a rotational option for the latter. He would likely relish his time deputizing for the likes of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba.
On the other hand, should Los Blancos choose to not sign Yoro, they would look to incorporate Rafa Marin into their first-team squad. They consider the 22-year-old a future star in light of his ongoing loan spell at Deportivo Alaves, who are 10th in the La Liga standings.
Marin, who has been at Los Merengues since 2016, has made 34 appearances for Alaves in the ongoing 2023-24 campaign. The 22-year-old defender has helped his current club register 10 clean sheets so far.
Real Madrid ace likely to stay this summer
Vladica Lemic, who is Luka Modric's agent, has stated that his client is in love with Los Blancos and could sign a one-year extension soon. He said (h/t Times Now):
"The most likely thing is that he will stay one more year and continue writing history. Real Madrid is the best club in the world and is led by the best president in the history of football. Modric is a Madrid fan who loves the club and considers it his home."
Modric, who will turn 39 this September, has registered two goals and eight assists in 43 matches, including 22 starts, so far this campaign.
Since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur for €35 million in 2012, Modric has lifted 24 trophies and featured in 531 total games for Real Madrid.