Arsenal working on signing Manchester United duo

There’s an old football cliche about turnabout being fair play, and Manchester United may be about to experience it first-hand.

The club spent heavily on proven quality in midfield, bringing in Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, while also continuing to add experience in their squad with the addition of Karl Darlow.

But United’s business hasn’t been confined to signings alone, with the club also raiding rivals for academy talent in recent seasons.

Both defender Ayden Heaven and striker Chido Obi arrived from Arsenal’s youth setup, swapping the Emirates for Old Trafford and quickly establishing themselves as prospects to watch.

That success story appears to have caught the attention of Arsenal themselves, who are now believed to be eyeing a reversal of fortunes.

Manchester United duo edging closer to Arsenal transfer

According to the Telegraph, the Premier League champions are working on deals to sign two of United’s own emerging talents.

The Premier League champions are targeting 19-year-old winger James Scanlon and 20-year-old right-back Habeeb Ogunneye, with reports suggesting growing confidence that both deals can be completed.

Both United youngsters have shown genuine promise without yet fully establishing themselves at Old Trafford, and may view a move as a route to greater opportunity elsewhere.

James Scanlon has an eye-catching international story of his own, having become the first Manchester United player to represent Gibraltar while at the club.

He made his senior international debut for Gibraltar in March 2024, and went on to become both the country’s youngest-ever goalscorer and the youngest scorer in UEFA Nations League history.

At academy level, Scanlon scored 14 goals in 14 league appearances for United’s Under-18s during the 2024/25 season.

He spent the second half of last season out on loan in League Two with Swindon Town, gaining senior experience before returning to Carrington.

Ogunneye’s development has followed a similar academy-to-loan pathway, having made his United Under-18 debut at just 15 years old.

The right-back received his first senior call-up back in February 2024, named among the substitutes for an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Nottingham Forest, though he’s yet to make his senior United debut.

He spent the whole of last season on loan at Newport County, making 21 appearances in League Two before being recalled to Carrington in January.

Any deal for either player would require careful negotiation, with United understandably reluctant to lose promising talent to a direct rival, but Arsenal’s confidence suggests early conversations have already gone well.