Chelsea sent scouts to watch Leny Yoro in action as the 18-year-old is viewed as a long-term replacement for Thiago Silva.
According to HITC, Chelsea are set to intensify their efforts to sign Leny Yoro after sending scouts to watch the 18-year-old in action. The Blues are not alone in the race, but their activity could get them ahead of Manchester United and Liverpool in the hunt for the Lille teenager.
Chelsea scouting Leny Yoro.
As per the report, Chelsea scouts were in attendance during Lille’s action-packed draw with Montpellier. The London side’s observers were thought to monitor Keny Yoro and striker Jonathan David, but the 18-year-old put in a tremendous performance to make the visit worthwhile.
With Lille down to ten men, Yoro put in a defensive shift to keep a clean sheet and allow his team to take a point from a problematic second-half position. Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have been interested in Yoro for the last few months, but the London outfit is looking to steal the march.
Chelsea are keen on the 18-year-old, who they view as the perfect long-term replacement for veteran Thiago Silva. The idea of snapping him early before he even thinks about extending his stay with Lille, considering his current deal expires in the summer of 2025.
The presence of Chelsea scouts could help them accelerate their process and convince the player before other rivals do. However, the race for the 18-year-old defender seems wide open as things stand, as many clubs could battle it out for Yoro in the summer window.
Chelsea faces rival threat for Yoro.
The Blues would love to position themselves ahead of their rivals, but Liverpool and Manchester United are ready to battle for the teenage defender with all their might. The increased competition will only help Lille drive up the price, which could already be high.
Real Madrid and PSG are also keen, with the latter eager to provide a solid platform within Ligue 1 for the promising defender. The Spanish giants have also earmarked signing the best young profiles from around the world and could follow up on their recent activity with the addition of Yoro.
Chelsea will have plenty of competition, as the Champions League factor could have a big say in determining Yoro’s next club.