Leny Yoro flies in for Man Utd medical and Liverpool will kick itself for dropping transfer ball

Liverpool transfer target Leny Yoro now looks bound for Manchester United. He is flying in for a medical .

According to The Athletic , it's now expected that a transfer will be completed. The Lille defender still needs to finalize personal terms, but Manchester United is likely to get the deal over the line.

That's a major twist in the saga, with Real Madrid previously considered overwhelming favorite to either seal a deal for Yoro this summer or convince him to join on a free transfer next year. But it now seems he is bound for the Premier League , and sporting director Richard Hughes might just be kicking himself over his first major test at Anfield .

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It has been reported that Liverpool took a step back in light of Yoro's clear preference for Real Madrid. It had appeared to be a "one-horse race".

But United persisted, and Lille developed a strong preference for Old Trafford as Yoro's destination, with Real Madrid not coming forward with a similar bid. The player has now warmed to the possibility.

Liverpool, who has been stung by Real Madrid in each of the last two summer transfer windows — missing out on Aurelien Tchouameni and then Jude Bellingham — can be forgiven for its reluctance to get involved this time around. But if it really has walked away, only for Yoro's mind to be changed by United, then it's a real opportunity missed.

The ECHO reported that Liverpool views Yoro as a generational talent. And Hughes spoke in Arne Slot's first press conference about the club's intention to be opportunistic in the market.

But it seems this particular opportunity could be rapidly slipping away, unless there is a dramatic twist in the tale. This would be far more frustrating than losing out to Real Madrid.

After all, in a straight race, Liverpool surely has the better pitch to make to Yoro. Had it also maintained its efforts, it could have pointed to its place in the Champions League , its more recent history of Premier League success, and a squad in overall better shape. There's also the alluring possibility of being the heir to Virgil van Dijk .

Hopefully, it's not quite too late yet. But if he goes to Manchester United, there's no escaping the fact that Liverpool will be kicking itself.