Arsenal are poised to complete a double raid of Manchester United for youngsters James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye.
Standard Sport understands Scanlon has emerged as a serious target for the Gunners amid their renewed recruitment focus at youth level, and further talks with Man United are planned.
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Arsenal are confident over a deal for Scanlon as personal terms are not expected to be an issue and they have made a breakthrough regarding his team-mate Ogunneye.
Standard Sport understands the Gunners will complete a free transfer for the 20-year-old with Man United retaining a 40% sell on clause.
The defender is scheduled to have his medical on Thursday with an announcement expected over the weekend.
Furthermore, he will join up with U21s and be given the opportunity to train with the first-team, hoping to catch the eye of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Who is James Scanlon?
Scanlon is a 19-year-old who has been capped 24 times at senior international level by Gibraltar, who he qualifies to represent through his mother.
At 17 years and 346 days, he came the UEFA Nations League’s youngster goalscorer when netted in a 2-2 draw with Liechtenstein in September 2024.
The Leicester-born teenager is a winger comfortable operating on either flank but can also play as an attacking midfielder.
A product of the Derby academy, Scanlon joined Man United in February 2021, initially starting out in their academy before breaking into the U18’s side within a year.
The 2023-24 season was a big one for Scanlon as he featured in the UEFA Youth League, made appearances for the U21’s, was called up to first-team training by Erik ten Hag before signing his first professional contract in May 2024.
Despite being named in a senior Man Utd matchday squad for the first time against Real Sociedad in an Europa League tie in March 2025, Scanlon is yet to make first-team appearance for the Red Devils.
He spent the second half of last season with Swindon Town, rejecting interest from clubs across Europe, scoring once in six appearances as the Robins finished ninth in League Two, missing out on the play-offs by a point.
Who is Habeeb Ogunneye?
Ogunneye is a year and a few months older than Scanlon and has come through the Man United academy, making his debut for the u18’s at the age of 15.
Born in Hackney, Ogunneye is described as a right-back who likes to get forward and furthered his first-team development last season with a loan spell at Newport County.
The 20-year-old made 21 appearances for Newport across all competitions, gaining valuable experience by featuring in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Ironically, Ogunneye was on the losing side against an Arsenal U21’s side that included Marli Salmon in the EFL Trophy last season, conceding a penalty from which Andre Harriman-Annous scored to equalise.
Despite his age, Ogunneye is already making waves at international level as he has been at the centre of a battle between England and Nigeria (through birth and heritage respectively) for his allegiance.
While a decision has yet to been announced, England U21s boss Lee Carsley had identified him as a possible star of the future.
