Habeeb Ogunneye of Manchester United is challenged by Emirhan Demircan of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Youth League - Group A match between Manche...
Habeeb Ogunneye of Manchester United is challenged by Emirhan Demircan of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Youth League - Group A match between Manchester United and Bayern Munich at Leigh Sports Village on December 12, 2023 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Manchester United youngster Habeeb Ogunneye has held a medical with Arsenal, with the Gunners also close to finalising a move for James Scanlon.
James Scanlon of Manchester United looks on during the The FA Youth Cup 5th Round match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village on February 12, 2025 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
James Scanlon of Manchester United looks on during the The FA Youth Cup 5th Round match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village on February 12, 2025 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
James McNicholas reports for The Athletic that Manchester United youth right-back Habeeb Ogunneye has undergone a medical ahead of a move to Arsenal.
McNicholas adds that the Gunners are also close to finalising a move for United youth winger James Scanlon.
The expectation is reportedly that both deals will be free transfers, with United only set to profit through sell-on clauses in the contracts. Ogunneye and Scanlon would be joining the Arsenal u21s, coached by former United academy coach David Horseman.
David Horseman, Manager of Arsenal looks on before the Vertu Trophy match between Barnet and Arsenal U21 at The Hive on August 18, 2026 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Cameron Howard/Getty Images)
David Horseman, Manager of Arsenal looks on before the Vertu Trophy match between Barnet and Arsenal U21 at The Hive on August 18, 2026 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Cameron Howard/Getty Images)
There were some questions asked after the initial links with Ogunneye and Scanlon. The pair are 20 and 19 years old respectively, so if they couldn’t break into the senior side at United, the likelihood of doing so at Arsenal is low enough to make a significant transfer fee a gamble.
But with both players joining for free, the moves make more sense. Arsenal will add some quality to their u21s, which will help their top talents like Marli Salmon and Max Dowman (on the occasions when he drops down), and they’ll potentially then be able to profit on the United pair in the future.
Marli Salmon in pre-season training with the Arsenal u21s (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
On Ogunneye, Arsenal’s pursuit of an u21 right-back makes sense. The Gunners currently have no natural right-backs in the u21 squad, as we saw during pre-season, when Ben White was backed up exclusively by youth midfielders.
Ogunneye does have senior experience, spending the first half of last season on loan with Newport County.
As mentioned, Scanlon is a winger, who made his breakthrough into senior football with a loan to Swindon Town last season, scoring one goal in six appearances.
Scanlon had racked up 39 goal contributions in 50 games with the Manchester United u18s, but he’s yet to fully establish himself above that level. Perhaps a move to a fresh environment at Arsenal could help him to do that.
James Scanlon of Manchester United looks on during the The FA Youth Cup 5th Round match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village on February 12, 2025 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
James Scanlon of Manchester United looks on during the The FA Youth Cup 5th Round match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village on February 12, 2025 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
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