Sources: Chelsea firmly on the trail for teenage French sensation, multiple top European sides interested

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Chelsea are firmly on the trail of LOSC Lille defender Leny Yoro ahead of a potential move in the summer, sources have confirmed to HITC Football.

Leny Yoro, the 18-year-old central defender has been brilliant for LOSC Lille since breaking into their first-team little over a year ago which has led to a host of clubs being linked with the Frenchman.

However, a January deal was never on the table for Yoro or Lille, especially with team-mate Tiago Djalo set to leave for Juventus, but clubs are continuing to follow the teenager.

It is now looking like the summer will be the most realistic time that a move for the teenage sensation will take place and a host of clubs are keeping an eye on the Frenchman, sources have told HITC Football.

Multiple clubs keen

Whilst there are a host of talented young defenders across Europe, many scouts and on-lookers believe Yoro could be the pick of them all and it is little surprise the list of suitors for him is growing.

Sources have confirmed to HITC that Real Madrid have recently joined the list of admirers that already consists of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.

Erik ten Hag’s United will be keen on signing a new centre-back in the summer as question marks remain over the majority of their defensive options but it is Premier League rivals Chelsea who have a strong interest in the defender.

Chelsea have not been afraid to raid Ligue 1 in the past with a selection of their signings coming from the French top division including Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashille and Lesley Ugochukwu.

Yoro could well be the next name on this list who could be targeted for a move to Stamford Bridge.

Lille’s stance

As with the case with all of these transfers, the selling club’s stance over a move will be vital and any club who are interested in Yoro this month will have to wait.

Sources have confirmed that the French side made it clear to Yoro that he would not be leaving this month as the Ligue 1 giants believe the teenage defender will be vital to the team’s chances of finishing in the top three.

Levi Colwill has suitors from Liverpool, HITC Football confirmed yesterday, so you wonder if this could be a contingency plan from the Blues. Nevertheless, Yoro would be an outstanding signing.