Liverpool transfer news: Reds told 'totally crazy' price for Leny Yoro

Liverpool will need to pay as much as €90m (£78m) in order to sign Lille centre back Leny Yoro, according to one report.

Yoro, 18, is one of European football's most highly rated young defenders and is already a regular at the back for Lille, who sit fifth in Ligue 1.

The teenager, who has represented France at Under-21 level, has made 19 appearances so far this season, scoring twice.

Liverpool are one of a number of clubs who have been linked in recent weeks, with Manchester United and even Real Madrid reportedly interested.

The Reds are known to be on the lookout for defensive reinforcements in 2024, while there have been some suggestions that the club could advance plans to bring in cover this January amid the injury crisis that has seen both first-team left backs sidelined as well as Joel Matip ruled out for the rest of the season.

According to French outlet Le10Sport, however, Yoro would not come cheap.

The report claims Lille want a 'totally crazy amount' for their star asset, with both Manchester clubs and Paris Saint-Germain – as well as Liverpool – sniffing around.

It is said that the French club's priority is to keep Yoro for the time being and are even hopeful of convincing the young defender to sign a contract extension on his current deal (which runs until 2025).

However, Lille have told suitors that it will take €90m (£78m) to get a deal done this January for the player who has fewer than 50 senior appearances to date.

It is not specified how that price tag would change in the summer when Yoro will have just one year left on his current deal. However, it is said that Liverpool are 'ready to sign a nice cheque'.

This report differs significantly from Foot Mercato's estimation last month, when it was claimed that it would take €50m (43m) in order to secure a deal for Yoro.

Yoro is just one of a host of defenders linked with Liverpool recently.

Left-sided Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP) remains another player regularly touted as a long-term target, while Japan international Ko Itakura (Borussia Monchengladbach) is one of the latest names in the frame.