Goodbye to Madrid for 60 million: Manchester United takes him, Florentino gives the OK

Manchester United’s Acquisition of Gonçalo Inácio

Real Madrid had been considering several options for strengthening their central defense, aiming to bring in younger talent for a generational transition. Among these prospects was Gonçalo Inácio, a highly-rated Portuguese center-back from Sporting Lisbon. Despite his evident skill and potential, Real Madrid decided against pursuing him due to his high valuation, which they deemed excessive.

Manchester United’s Offer

Manchester United has seized the opportunity and is reportedly close to securing Inácio’s services for a substantial fee of €60 million. This aggressive move demonstrates United’s commitment to reinforcing their defense. Real Madrid, on the other hand, has decided not to engage in a bidding war and has given the green light for this transfer to proceed.

Focus Shifts to Leny Yoro

With Inácio off their radar, Real Madrid’s focus has shifted to Leny Yoro, a promising young central defender from Lille. Yoro is considered one of the brightest talents in his position in current football. Despite receiving higher offers from other prominent European clubs, Yoro is prioritizing a move to Real Madrid, showing his preference for the Spanish giants.

Negotiation Strategy and Prospects

Real Madrid is leveraging Yoro’s interest in joining them to negotiate a more favorable deal with Lille. The club is patient, understanding that Lille might be forced to lower their asking price as time progresses, especially if Yoro continues to reject other offers. Should Lille not negotiate, they risk losing Yoro for free when his contract expires in 2025.

Florentino Pérez and the Real Madrid management are confident that their approach will eventually lead to securing Yoro at a reasonable price, capitalizing on the player’s clear preference for joining their ranks. This strategic patience reflects Real Madrid’s long-term planning and understanding of transfer market dynamics.