Arsenal Targets James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye from Manchester United

Arsenal’s youth rebuild is about to run straight through Manchester United.

The club are closing on a double deal for highly rated youngsters James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye, with one transfer already at the medical stage and talks advancing for the other.

Standard Sport understands Arsenal have moved decisively for Scanlon, who has quickly become a serious target as the club doubles down on recruitment at academy level. Further discussions with United are scheduled, but there is confidence in north London that an agreement can be struck, with personal terms not expected to cause any problems.

The Gunners have already made a breakthrough on Ogunneye. The 20-year-old defender is set to join on a free transfer, with Manchester United inserting a 40 per cent sell-on clause as part of the deal. His medical is booked for Thursday and Arsenal are planning to confirm the move over the weekend.

Ogunneye will initially link up with the club’s U21s but will also be given chances to train with Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad, an opening that offers a clear pathway if he impresses.

James Scanlon: Gibraltar’s teenage record-breaker

Scanlon is just 19, but already a senior international regular. Born in Leicester, he qualifies for Gibraltar through his mother and has been capped 24 times at senior level.

He has already written his name into the record books. At 17 years and 346 days, he became the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Nations League history when he struck in a 2-2 draw against Liechtenstein in September 2024.

On the pitch, Scanlon is a versatile attacking option. Naturally a winger who can operate on either flank, he is also comfortable drifting inside into an attacking midfield role.

He came through Derby County’s academy before joining Manchester United in February 2021. Within a year he had forced his way into the U18s, and the 2023-24 campaign marked a real step up: appearances in the UEFA Youth League, minutes for the U21s, and a call to train with Erik ten Hag’s first team. That progress was rewarded with his first professional contract in May 2024.

He edged even closer to the senior stage in March 2025, when he was named in a Manchester United matchday squad for the first time in a Europa League tie against Real Sociedad. He is still waiting for his competitive debut for the club.

To accelerate his development, United sent him on loan to Swindon Town for the second half of last season. Scanlon turned down interest from several European clubs to make that move, scoring once in six appearances as Swindon finished ninth in League Two, a single point short of the play-offs.

Habeeb Ogunneye: Attack-minded full-back in demand

If Scanlon offers creativity higher up the pitch, Ogunneye brings energy and ambition from the back line.

The Hackney-born right-back has been with Manchester United since his early teens and broke into their U18s at just 15. His game is built on getting forward from defence, and last season he took an important step with a loan spell at Newport County.

Ogunneye made 21 appearances for Newport in all competitions, gaining valuable experience in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup as well as the league. One of his more eye-catching nights came in the EFL Trophy, when he faced Arsenal U21s. On that occasion he was on the wrong side of the result, conceding a penalty that Marli Salmon won and Andre Harriman-Annous converted to equalise.

That evening, though, clearly did not put Arsenal off. If anything, it put him firmly on the radar.

His rise has also sparked an international tug-of-war. Eligible for England by birth and Nigeria through heritage, Ogunneye has yet to announce a final decision on his senior allegiance. England U21s head coach Lee Carsley has already identified him as a potential star of the future.

Now Arsenal are ready to offer him the next stage of his club career. The question is simple: how quickly can these two United prospects turn a youth recruitment win into a first-team reality in north London?