There are a number of areas where Real Madrid need to strengthen. One in the most urgent need of reinforcements is centre-back. Eder Militao and David Alaba have both suffered long-term ACL injuries this season. It remains to be seen how they recover because often, an injury of this magnitude could have career-altering effects.
Also, it is worth pointing out that other than Militao, every other Real Madrid centre-back is past 30 years of age. So, sooner or later, they will need to refresh their ranks in that area of the pitch.
Real Madrid have been linked with several of the best youngsters in the world to fill their need at centre-back. One such player is Leny Yoro, the Lille wonderkid who has earned comparisons to Raphael Varane and it is expected to take a transfer fee north of €70 million to sign him.
While Yoro's exit at some point feels inevitable, it won't be happening this January. As reported by AS, Lille manager Paulo Fonseca said:
"It's not easy when a young player starts to attract interest from top clubs. But he remains calm, focused on our team. This week I had a great conversation with Leny. We talked about the situation. I told him what I thought about it. And he understood that he had to stay here and think only about Lille."
€70 million Real Madrid target's exit ruled out
Yoro is 18 years of age but he is already a regular starter for Lille in the heart of defence. Fonseca's side have the second-best defensive record in Ligue 1 right now.
So, Yoro is quite clearly getting the job done and he looks like a special talent. Someone like him could be the perfect signing for Real Madrid, who have concentrated on signing some of the best youngsters from around the world and developing them into superstars at Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have found solid success when it comes to signing players from Ligue 1 in recent years. Eduardo Camavinga joined them from Rennes while Aurelien Tchouameni was at AS Monaco before moving to the Spanish capital. Could Yoro be next in line?