Lille 'threatened to not play Leny Yoro for a YEAR if he didn't agree to Man United move'... after the French club secured £52m fee for the 18-year-old, who favoured Real Madrid transfer

Lille threatened to not play Leny Yoro in the final year of his contract if he did not accept Manchester United's transfer offer, according to reports in Spain. 

The Red Devils' offer of £42m plus £10m in add-ons for the 18-year-old Frenchman was accepted last week, but there were concerns that Yoro’s preference was to join Real Madrid.

However, United have moved swiftly to get the deal done and are finalising personal terms over a five-year contract with the option of a 12-month extension. Yoro is expected to complete his move to the Premier League giants by Friday.

But according to Spanish outlet Marca, the youngster was faced with a difficult decision as his intention to move to Madrid persisted despite overtures from top European clubs including United, PSG and Liverpool. 

They claim that Yoro's mind was made up by a threat from his club that he would be sidelined for the remaining year of his contract, after they had agreed a lucrative deal for their academy graduate.

In addition, the defender is set to receive a higher salary than what he would have pocketed had he moved to the Spanish capital. 

Madrid reportedly baulked at Lille's valuation of the player and were only willing to offer £25m (€30m) to acquire his services this term. As a result, they pursued the tactic that has worked wonders in their recruitment of young stars in recent years and believed that by leveraging the player's desire to move to the Bernabeu, they would ultimately get their man. 

A similar practice has born fruit with the signings of Aurlien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham and even Kylian Mbappe - who was finally unveiled as a Real Madrid player this week. 

Unfortunately for Los Blancos, United's determination to sign the young star has seen them miss out on the talented player. Carlo Ancelotti's side are keen to reinforce their defence following the departures of Nacho and Rafa Marin. 

Last season they were forced to play defensive midfielder Tchouameni in defence following the long-term injuries of Eder Militao and David Alaba.

Meanwhile, in Yoro, United are set to complete their second signing of the summer after Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee moved to Old Trafford for £36.5m.

The club are interested in signing a second centre-back, having held talks with Bayern Munich over £42m-rated Matthijs de Ligt and seeing two offers of up to £50m for Jarrad Branthwaite rejected by Everton.

However, that could depend on raising extra cash through player sales and offloading another central defender after Raphael Varane left as a free agent and Willy Kambwala joined Villarreal for £9.9m.

United have rejected an offer from Fulham for Scott McTominay, which is believed to be lower than the £30m bid they turned down from West Ham a year ago, while the Hammers are weighing up a £15m move for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

United hope to sign a defensive midfielder and right-back this summer, and will consider offers for McTominay and Wan-Bissaka if they match the quality and value of their players.