Manchester United are on the verge of adding a new talent to the club’s development ranks – and leaving Premier League rivals frustrated in the process.
Manchester United have pulled off impressive recruitment of young players under the Ineos regime.
Chido Obi joined United last summer and represented a superb capture from Arsenal, months before Ayden Heaven arrived at Old Trafford.
Ineos have placed a keen focus on signing top talents for the future and that looks set to continue this summer.
Middlesbrough twins Anton and Bailey Palmer are on United’s radar and one arrival now appears to be imminent.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Manchester United agree Harley Emsden-James deal
Reports in May suggested that United wanted to sign Southampton’s Harley Emsden-James – and were leading the race for his signature.
Those reports suggested that Jason Wilcox was key to United’s interest, having seen Emsden-James emerge at Southampton.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur were all interested in signing Emsden-James, but United were pushing for a £1million deal.
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Academy Scoop now claim that United have agreed a deal to sign Emsden-James.
United have seen off other Premier League clubs to sign Emsden-James, with the teenager convinced by United’s project.
Emsden-James is also understood to have been impressed with the pathway laid out for him at Old Trafford.
Wilcox has now landed his man, pulling off an impressive deal to hijack long-term interest from other clubs.
The Daily Mail reported last summer that Emsden-James had informed Southampton of his desire to move on.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham were again mentioned back then, highlighting their long-term pursuit of the teenager.
United appear to have swooped in and won the race, with Emsden-James now on the verge of completing his move to Manchester.
Exclusive: Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign 16-year-old Harley Emsden-James from Southampton.
Several other Premier League clubs made approaches to sign the talented centre back, but he was convinced by United's proposal of a long term project and eventual pathway. pic.twitter.com/eR8Qqqudw3
— SCOOP. (@AcademyScoop) June 11, 2025
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Harley Emsden-James profiled
Emsden-James has emerged in the famed Southampton ranks and looks to be one of their next top talents after the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale over the years.
The 16-year-old predominantly plays as a central defender and has been involved with England at Under-15 level.
Emsden-James has played twice in the Under-18 Premier League, making two substitute appearances this past season.
United will now hope to develop Emsden-James into a star, with the defender likely to emerge into the Under-18 picture next season and beyond.
It’s a long way from the Under-18s to the United first team, but Emsden-James is being tipped for a huge future.
United may have struggled of late, but the pulling power at Old Trafford is still strong – and Emsden-James snubbing a host of Premier League rivals just goes to show that top talents still believe they can shine at Old Trafford.