Lille president has already sent Man United Leny Yoro encouragement as bid accepted

Manchester United are pulling out all the stops to improve on last season's leaky defence that saw 85 goals conceded. At least two new centre-backs have been prioritised by United and they are close to completing their first signing of the summer.

MEN Sport understands that the Red Devils have verbally agreed personal terms with Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt. Raphael Varane's exit and fellow centre-half Victor Lindelof linked with an exit means United want to add two new centre-backs this window.

Everton rejected United's second offer worth £45m plus £5m in add-ons for Jarrad Branthwaite this week after an opening £43m offer was turned down in June. The England international is understood to be valued between £70m and £80m by Everton.

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Now, MEN Sport understands that United have had a bid between €60m (£50.6m) and €70m (£59.1m) accepted by Lille for Leny Yoro. The 18-year-old has been the topic of speculation since breaking into the first-team at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also keen.

Real Madrid is reportedly the centre-back's preferred destination this summer but, as it stands, the European champions are yet to submit a proposal close to United's. Talks are ongoing between the two parties over a potential deal, though.

Last month, Lille president Oliver Letang confirmed that Leno and United-linked Jonathan David would be allowed to leave the club this summer. Speaking in a press conference for the introduction of new manager Bruno Genesio, he said: “We have two players who have an exit voucher, Leny (Yoro)