Man United look to have made a definitive decision on their second signing of the summer as young defender Leny Yoro is reportedly already “in Manchester” for his medical ahead of joining the Premier League club.
The French centre-back, who has impressed during his breakthrough into LOSC Lille’s first team over the past two seasons, has attracted a number of suitors across this transfer window, including Liverpool, PSG and, most notably, Real Madrid.
However, despite a tentative initial bid from Madrid, it looks as though United have now pulled the trigger and beaten the La Liga giants to his signature, as it is said Yoro has now flown to Manchester for his medical with a fee already agreed between both clubs and the final details soon to be confirmed.
According to the latest updates from ever-reliable transfer source, Fabrizio Romano, the deal is said to be a five-year deal which “includes several bonuses based on appearances, performances and more”.
⚪️🇫🇷 Real Madrid, also informed of Leny Yoro’s travel to Manchester to finalize his move to United.
Real have always been clear: €20/25m for Yoro this summer or join as free agent in 2025.
Yoro’s preference is always thought to have been Spain, but it seems the recently incumbent INEOS Group were clinical in negotiations and simply met the Ligue 1 club’s asking price while Madrid were apparently willing to wait until 2025 when his contract was due to expire
It was reported on Tuesday that Man United had made progress in talks with two central defensive targets, but that only a deal for one of them was expected to be completed given their transfer budget and stricter measures than ever around FFP and PSR.
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That being said, with the departure of Raphaël Varane and Willy Kambwala, Victor Lindelöf having just a year left on his contract, not to mention other players future’s still looking uncertain, outgoings could potentially make room for another among the back four to be brought in.
Meanwhile, even famous fans of the Red Devils like social media star Harry Pinero have been playing the role of football agent to try and curry Yoro’s favour. Let’s just say it can’t have hurt their chances.
Social media influencer Harry Pinero messaged Leny Yoro trying to convince him to join Manchester United.
While an official announcement is yet to come and it’s still unclear if his medical has been completed or if all personal terms signed off, for all intents and purposes, it looks like a done deal.
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Bringing in Yoro would mark the second acquisition by United so far ahead of the 2024/25 season, with Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee also being unveiled earlier this week – two youthful additions to the overall squad depth at either end of the pitch.
Elsewhere in defence, Premier League veteran and long-serving club servant Jonny Evans was also given a new one-year deal to extend his stay at Old Trafford after impressing as what started out as a stop-gap signing amid their chronic injury problems throughout the previous campaign.
Featured Images — Leny Yoro/Equipe de France de Football (via Instagram)
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Stockport County defender Brad Hills ruled out for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
In a big blow to their promotion push, Stockport County have been hit with a major injury and loss to their first-team squad, as defender Brad Hills has been ruled out for what looks to be the remainder of the season and then some.
Not what Hatters will want to hear with crunch-time in and around the playoffs now well underway.
Having emerged as even more of a starring centre-back this year, following his initial loan spell with the club during the previous campaign, Brad Hills has arguably been one of Stockport’s best and most reliable players in 2025/26 thus far – but not County will have to do without him.
Although the exact severity is yet to be fully revealed, the former Norwich City youth academy graduate is said to have hurt his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Confirming the news on social media, the Greater Manchester side stated: “We regret to inform supporters that Brad Hills sustained an ACL injury in Saturday’s draw at Luton Town that will rule him out for the foreseeable future.
“Our full focus is on supporting Brad throughout his recovery – we know he’ll come back stronger”
For anyone unaware, ACL tears/ruptures are among some of the worst injuries in football, and depending on the extent of the damage, it can take anywhere between six months and a full year to bounce back.
Safe to say, therefore, that supporters have been left gutted by the update, with one commenting, “Awful, awful news”; another simply wrote, “FFS”.
After typing a very long expletive following the show news, fan podcast The Scarf Bergara Wore wrote: “Wishing Bradley Hills a speedy recovery – come back stronger!
Since becoming a permanent signing back in August, he’s earned multiple man-of-the-match awards in blue and white, not to mention contributed to a decent number of clean sheets. He’ll be a big miss in their backline.
While it’s no doubt a big setback as the League One team looks to get promoted into the Championship, the absence could see manager Dave Challinor reshuffle the pack and perhaps even the formation for the remaining fixtures.
One option is Louie Barry, who – depending on the setup – could finally be set for a return to the pitch after he was signed on a third loan deal this past January, but is still continuing his own rehab following a knee operation.
Put it this way, with not many games left, lots of County fans are probably wishing that the pending and potential further changes in the EFL could have come sooner…
Salford RLFC issue statement as head coach Mike Grady departs after less than three months
Danny Jones
Salford Rugby League Football Club have issued an official statement following the departure of head coach Mike Grady, who has left the role after less than three months in the job.
It has been insisted that this is not a sacking, but rather a joint decision to terminate his contract.
Grady, who took up the mantle at the start of this project following the end of the Salford Red Devils era, was only appointed on 5 January.
He had previously been in charge of the Red Devils’ women’s side over the past couple of years, but moved over to hopefully lead this new era forward.
As you can see, the club confirmed in a statement that they and Grady have “mutually agreed to part ways due to changes in his personal circumstances.”
They go on to write: “We are forever indebted to Mike for his unwavering commitment to the club. We want to thank him for all his hard work since taking on the role as Head Coach in very challenging circumstances in December.”
Also sharing a comment from former player turned CEO, Ryan Brierley, he said: “Mike came in as Coach at a time when the club had just come through one of its toughest times with the double impact of relegation and liquidation.
“He was willing to roll up his sleeves and bring stability to the club on the pitch. The fact we were able to field a team against Oldham in January, after only three weeks, speaks volumes about his commitment and determination. To beat Hunslet at home only four weeks later was a fantastic achievement.
“Mike will always be remembered as the person [who] strived and achieved the objective of sending out the first Salford team of this new era. A team running onto the pitch, after so much hard work, gave us all something to cheer about. We also remember how well he successfully guided our women’s team to third and fourth place finishes in the Championship.”
Sharing his own farewell message, he went on to add: “I want to thank Ryan for the opportunity to represent this great club and fan base. What we created at the start of the year was pretty special, and I’m proud to have built that.
“I’m happy to leave the club in a better place than I found it and wish the club all the best for the future.” Salford RLFC have already assured that they are now recruiting for his replacement.
Danny Jones -
17th July 2024 
