The Athletic's David Ornstein indeed dropped some major breaking news earlier today with an update on MUFC target Leny Yoro.
Ornstein put out a tweet this morning which sort of threw everyone into a frenzy, at least those associated with United.
This came outta nowhere as we were all still in the dark about whether the young French defender would join United or Real Madrid, who were heavily linked with him and appeared to be the 18-year-old's preferred destination.
This deal seemed to be held up by Yoro himself as he looked conflicted on where to go. Reports said that a deal had been struck between United and Lille but that it was up to the player to decide where he wanted to play.
Thanks to Ornstein though, we now know that Yoro is headed for Manchester instead.
A deal worth an initial €62m but the clubs reached an agreement for €50m fixed with €12m in add-ons. Yoro is set to sign a 5-year deal with MUFC keeping him at the club until June 2029 with the option to extend for an extra year. His salary will also increase yearly (Fabrizio Romano).
Romano also says that Leny Yoro's camp are "already in the process to review all the contracts from Man Utd. Medical tests also to follow."
Real Madrid have also been informed of the youngster's choice of moving to Old Trafford over the Santiago Bernabeu.
All reports on this topic say that United want the deal to be done as quick as possible to avoid any hijacks.
Final Thoughts
Well then, what do you think about that Reds?
I know that it isn't actually done nor have we had a 'Here we go' just yet (at least at the time of writing this) but with the likes of Ornstein, Romano and countless others all talking about Yoro going to Manchester to sort out his contract and do his medicals, I believe that this signing is as good as done.
Fair play to United but more importantly, fair play to INEOS! We haven't seen MUFC move like this in the transfer window before with the club not being able to hijack a player from Everton let alone Real bloody Madrid!
I guess that this is what it feels like to be a big club again. It has been so long since we've seen the club act like this that most of us probably forgot what it was like.
What I will admit though, is that I was beginning to get a little frustrated with Leny Yoro. With it being up to him to make the final decision on which club to join, I just wanted him to make a decision so we can all move on.
The fact that he ended up choosing our club over Madrid, I do feel good about this one 😁.
However, we have done deals like this in the past where a player wanted to join another club over United. That didn't end well (cough, cough, Di Maria). Just that thought will leave a sour taste in my mouth and I've no doubt that by the time his contract expires - when Yoro will only be 23 - Madrid will come back for him. He will probably go as well. Hopefully, he can perform really well for United and we can sell him for a pretty price then.
What does this mean for Matthijs De Ligt?
I still have a feeling that we will sign him. We don't have enough top quality players in the squad and definitely not at centre-back.
With Yoro imminent, it would appear that it will be him starting alongside the butcher at centre-back. If one (or both) are out of the side for whatever reason, we're back to Magelof or Jonny Evans. None of those three have the ability to play how ten Hag wants and will most likely mean the defense will drop deeper with that gap in midfield appearing once again which was a major problem for United last season.
With Martinez, Yoro and De Ligt, we will have three centre-backs that all play in a similar fashion but would also allow the team to continue to play as the manager wants. We won't have to change our approach as we would do with Maguire, Lindelof or Evans.
Speaking of Maguire and Lindelof (happy 30th birthday to the Iceman), it is reported that it is because of the two of them that United may struggle to bring in a third centre-back.
To get De Ligt, one of if not both of Maguire and Lindelof will need to be sold. That money can be used to sign De Ligt and all will be well.
I do feel a little shit for De Ligt because he turned down every other club to give United first priority and we went and secured Yoro before him when it looked like De Ligt was the easier deal. But as I said, I do think he will join us as well.
David Ornstein has also said that United are still interested in the likes of Matthijs De Ligt and even Jarrad Branthwaite but we will need to sell players to create funds and squad space.
All looks well at MUFC.
It's so odd to be having so much being done so quickly. What INEOS are doing in this transfer window is similar to what Erik ten Hag did in his first season at United: made us believe.
The fact that they've done so much this window and we still want/expect more shows you how well INEOS are doing in the market thus far.
The expectation from here on is only going to be higher.
Are we back?
Background Image: Leny Yoro | Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images via The Liverpool Offside