According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal are preparing to sign two young players, James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye, from Manchester United. Scanlon has become a key target for Arsenal, and the club is in further negotiations with Manchester United.

Arsenal are optimistic about signing Scanlon and do not expect personal terms to be an issue. Meanwhile, the club has made a breakthrough in the transfer of Ogunneye. The Evening Standard understands that Arsenal will sign 20-year-old Ogunneye on a free transfer, with Manchester United retaining a 40% sell-on clause. The player is expected to undergo a medical on Thursday, and the club may officially announce the signing over the weekend. Upon joining, he will be part of Arsenal's U21 squad while also having the opportunity to train with the first team.

Scanlon

19-year-old Scanlon has already made 24 appearances for the Gibraltar senior national team, qualifying through his mother. In September 2024, against Liechtenstein, he scored a goal at 17 years and 346 days old, becoming the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Nations League history.

Born in Leicester, Scanlon can play on both wings and as an attacking midfielder. He came through the Derby County academy, joining Manchester United in February 2021, initially playing for the youth team and moving up to the U18 squad within a year. In the 2023-24 season, he participated in the UEFA Youth League and played for the U21 team. He was also called up by Ten Hag to train with the first team and subsequently signed his first professional contract in May 2024.

Scanlon was first included in Manchester United's first-team squad for a Europa League match against Real Sociedad in March 2025, but has yet to make his first-team debut. In the second half of last season, he was loaned to Swindon, making 6 appearances and scoring 1 goal, with the team finishing ninth in League Two, one point shy of the play-off spots.

Ogunneye

Ogunneye is over a year older than Scanlon and also came through the Manchester United academy, making his U18 debut at the age of 15. Born in Hackney, he plays as a right-back and is known for his aggressive attacking play. Last season, he gained further first-team experience on loan at Newport County.

The 20-year-old Ogunneye made 21 appearances for Newport County in all competitions, including the FA Cup and League Cup.

On the international stage, Ogunneye currently faces a choice between England and Nigeria. He was born in England and also has Nigerian heritage. Although he has not yet announced his final decision, England U21 coach Lee Carsley has identified him as a player to watch for the future.

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