Arsenal Pursue Winger James Scanlon from Manchester United

Arsenal are preparing another raid on Manchester United’s academy as they step up their move for winger James Scanlon, having already struck a deal to bring right-back Habeeb Ogunneye to north London.

The push is deliberate, not opportunistic. Arsenal have sharpened their focus on youth recruitment, and 19-year-old Scanlon has shot to the top of their list.

Arsenal press on with Scanlon pursuit

Talks with United are continuing over a fee for Scanlon, who spent the second half of last season on loan at League Two side Swindon. Born in Leicester but capped 24 times at senior level by Gibraltar through his mother, he already carries an unusually rich level of international experience for a teenager.

Arsenal do not expect personal terms to be a stumbling block. Scanlon is understood to be keen on the switch to north London, and the club believe that side of the deal will fall into place once a fee is agreed.

The Gunners want movement quickly. There is hope inside the club that negotiations with United will accelerate over the next 72 hours.

Two figures in particular are driving Arsenal’s pursuit. Chris Perkins, who arrived at the Emirates in 2023 as a professional development phase scout, has tracked Scanlon’s progress for years. During his six-year spell as head of academy recruitment at Derby, Perkins watched the winger come through the age groups and has remained a firm admirer.

Then came a second strong recommendation. David Horseman, confirmed earlier this week as Arsenal’s new Under-21 head coach, has also pushed for the deal. He joined Arsenal a year ago as elite player development coach, taking charge of the U19s in the UEFA Youth League and the U21s in the EFL Trophy, but had a brief stint at United before that. During his time there he worked directly with Scanlon and left impressed by the teenager’s potential.

Ogunneye deal close as double swoop looms

Scanlon is not the only United youngster on Arsenal’s radar. The club are also closing in on 20-year-old right-back Habeeb Ogunneye in what is shaping up to be a double move from Old Trafford.

Ogunneye, who was named in several United first-team matchday squads under Erik ten Hag during the 2023/24 season, spent the first half of last term on loan at Newport in League Two before being recalled in January.

A medical has been scheduled for Thursday, with an official announcement expected over the weekend. Arsenal will bring him in on a free transfer that includes a 40 per cent sell-on clause for United.

He is set to link up initially with the U21s but will also train with Mikel Arteta’s first team at the Emirates Stadium, a clear signal that Arsenal see a pathway for him beyond youth football.

Two young defenders, one highly rated winger, and a recruitment team willing to lean on long-held convictions — Arsenal’s academy rebuild is no longer a quiet project in the background. It is happening in plain sight, and it is running straight through Manchester United.