Manchester United and Manchester City face transfer battle for Lille wonder kid Leny Yoro – Paper Round

The Mirror suggests there is a battle ahead for Manchester City and Manchester United for the same Lille youngster.

The player in question is their teenage defender Leny Yoro, who has emerged as a vital player this season.

“United have shown they aren’t afraid to spend big on youngsters, throwing more than £150m at Antony and Rasmus Hojlund over the last two summer windows. Next up could be France Under-21 star Yoro, who is just 18 but has been a regular starter in Ligue 1 this term.

“Yoro, a central defender, was just 16 when he made his league debut for Lille in 2022. United aren’t the only potential suitors, though, with City’s recent woes at the back reportedly prompting Pep Guardiola to consider his options.

“The defender is clearly highly rated by those at Lille after becoming the club’s second-youngest ever debutant. That honour was previously held by Eden Hazard, though he wasn’t quite able to break Joel Henry’s record as the youngest – set back in the 70s.”

Barcelona could kick-start a move for Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves to Newcastle, according to The Sun.

The Catalans are keen on Newcastle United’s Brazilian midfielder, Bruno Guimaraes.

“And that’s despite committing his future to The Magpies until 2028, after signing a new contract with the club in October.

“The club are keen to sign a holding midfielder and have reportedly put Bruno Guimaraes top of their list.

“Alongside the Brazil midfielder on their wishlist is Youssouf Fofana of Monaco and Everton’s Amadou Onana.

“Barcelona are obviously cash-strapped after years of financial struggle so will not be able to fund the deal through typical means.

“Newcastle will be reticent to lose him given that they are already short of midfielders and looking to bring one in.

“Sandro Tonali’s ban for illegal betting means The Magpies are already in the market for a new central midfielder.

“And Newcastle could lean on their Saudi owners to bring in Ruben Neves from Al-Hilal either on loan or on a permanent basis.”

Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United could be ready for a swap deal involving Jadon Sancho, the Mail reports.

The player going the other way could be another wide player, Netherlands international Donyell Malen.

“After being left out of the United squad to face Arsenal in early September, Sancho claimed he had been made a ‘scapegoat’ and he has not played for the club since. He could now be offered an escape route by his former club Dortmund.

“United have shown interest in Malen, but Dortmund will only allow him to leave in a swap with Sancho, or if the English giants pay €30m (£25.7m).

“A return to the Westfalenstadion could appeal to Sancho given how successful his first spell was at the club.”

Wolves defender Jonny is likely to leave the club in the winter transfer window, according to The Athletic.

A “training ground incident” has led to the 29-year-old being cut from the first team until the end of January, and he had already been expected to leave last summer ahead of his contract expiring.

“The Spaniard – a popular figure in Nuno Espirito Santo’s successful Wolves team – has missed the last two matches following an incident at the club’s Compton Park training ground.

“The 29-year-old was expected to leave Molineux in the summer but was unable to secure a move away before the deadline.

“He has only made one Premier League appearance for Wolves this season, featuring as a late substitute in the 2-1 victory against Manchester City in September, but played 90 minutes in both of Wolves’ Carabao Cup matches.

“His contract at the club, signed in February 2021, expires at the end of next season.”