Leny Yoro could be heading for the exit door at Manchester United, with AC Milan reportedly identifying the French defender as a priority target for next summer's transfer window.

According to Calcio Mercato, Milan's recruitment team are planning a significant defensive rebuild, and Yoro — who worked under Ruben Amorim at United — has emerged as a key figure in their long-term planning. The report suggests the deal would cost between €40 and €50 million, with the involvement of Yoro's agent, Jorge Mendes, expected to be central to any negotiations.

A difficult season at Old Trafford

The 20-year-old's time at United has been far from straightforward since he joined from Lille in the summer of 2024 for a reported initial fee of around £52 million. A foot injury sustained in pre-season delayed his competitive debut until December, by which point both manager Erik ten Hag and caretaker Ruud van Nistelrooy had departed Old Trafford.

Amorim arrived in November and gave Yoro a settled run in the side, but that stability has unravelled under current manager Michael Carrick. Yoro has started all three of his Premier League appearances this season at right-back — a position Gary Neville has publicly cited as evidence of negligence in United's transfer planning.

His season has been compounded by a costly error that contributed directly to a goal in United's home defeat to Bournemouth, a red card in the UEFA Champions League against Atletico Madrid, and involvement in a 3-2 Carabao Cup loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Centre-back opportunities limited

With Harry Maguire featuring in every Premier League starting line-up under Carrick, and Lisandro Martinez also a regular before his public criticism of technical director Jason Wilcox, Yoro's preferred central defensive role has become increasingly difficult to access.

Milan, meanwhile, are dealing with their own injury problems. Absences for Matteo Gabbia and Mario Gila have left the squad short at the back, prompting plans for reinforcements in January — with Roma's Daniele Ghilardi, Lecce's Thiago Gabriel, and Sporting CP's Goncalo Inacio also under consideration for the short term.

For Yoro, who made more than 50 appearances under Amorim during their time together at United, the prospect of a reunion at San Siro — in a more settled and defined role — may hold considerable appeal as his situation in Manchester grows more complicated by the week.