Manchester City midfielders expected to join Manchester United

This summer has already become a summer of midfield movement, with both Manchester United and Manchester City reshaping the middle of their sides.

Manchester United got their business underway early, bringing in Ederson from Atalanta in a £35 million deal to add senior control to Michael Carrick’s engine room.

Alongside him, it’s just emerged that a £50 million deal has been agreed to sign Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, bringing more Premier League experience to Old Trafford.

Manchester City, meanwhile, have agreed terms with Elliot Anderson to sign him from Nottingham Forest for a record £130 million, keeping the middle of the pitch as the priority on both sides of the city.

Now, that recruitment battle looks set to stretch further, with Talent ID Hub taking to X to explain that Karim Cassim is expected to make the switch to Manchester United alongside David Eze.

However, this is not a move on City’s senior side, as both Cassim and Eze are 16-year-old prospects currently coming through the academy at the Etihad.

Cassim is an England Under-17 international who can play as a six or an eight, having broken into City’s Under-18 side last season and added three goals from midfield.

Eze, meanwhile, is a defensive midfielder who has captained England at Under-16 level, and who also holds an Irish passport that leaves his international future open.

United are understood to have hosted Eze and his family at Carrington as they push to win the race for his signature.

The 16-year-old is not eligible to sign a professional contract with City until he turns 17 next March, leaving the door open for United to move now.

As such, the pursuit follows the pattern United have set under INEOS, having already brought in Ayden Heaven, Sekou Kone, Diego Leon and Chido Obi to strengthen the younger age groups.