Liverpool and Manchester United are both chasing a centre-back in the summer transfer window, and according to writer Ben Jacobs, the Premier League duo have a financial advantage over Real Madrid.

Lenny Yoro has been a revelation in Ligue 1 this season, featuring in 32 of Paulo Fonseca’s 34 top-flight games as Lille secure their place in the Champions League qualifiers. The 18-year-old is a player who is far beyond his years, with his calm demeanor, incredible experience and impressive height drawing comparisons to Arsenal star William Saliba. He has, of course, quickly attracted the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs and is widely expected to leave Stade Pierre-Mauroy in the summer transfer window.

It is no surprise that Yoro wants to move to Real, although Liverpool and Manchester United have also tried to contact him for his services in recent weeks.

A report from The Sun claims that Yoro will be offered £51m by United in the coming weeks, while Liverpool are said to be “actively pursuing” the young French star, according to Fabrizio Romano.

So far, it’s clearly been a cat-and-mouse chase, especially as the Red Devils have moved closer to signing Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern and potentially moving back to sign Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton, and so interest in Yoro has been put on hold.

Jacobs confirmed that Real Madrid are leading the race to sign Yoro, although Liverpool and United may have the edge due to their financial clout: “It’s no surprise that Yoro would go on to have an excellent football career, especially having made over 60 appearances for Lille during his short career and being a regular in a team that has qualified for the Champions League, a signing like him is a rare commodity that doesn’t come along very often.”