Manchester United have agreed a £1m deal for 16-year-old Harley Emsden-James from Southampton.
United will also pay add-ons for the defender while Saints have a 20 per cent sell on. Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea were among the clubs interested in signing the teenager last summer.
The acquisition of Emsden-James is the latest example of United's efforts to poach highly rated talent from other Premier League sides.
His arrival follows the signings of Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven from Arsenal last season, who were both handed first-team minutes during the campaign.
Emsden-James got his first taste of Under 18s football during the 2024-25 season, making two appearances despite being only 15-years-old.
He is likely to be part of the Red Devils' U18s squad next term. Given he will not turn 17 until March 2026, it is unlikely he will be handed regular minutes at U21 level.
Meanwhile, in what is expected to be a busy summer for United, the club are continuing talks for Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo after last week's opening offer of £55million was rejected.
The Red Devils were dealt a blow last weekend when reports emerged that Tottenham were entering the race for the 25-year-old.
Mbeumo is seen as a key target for United, who are looking to improve their lacklustre squad after a dreadful campaign. The Red Devils scored just 44 goals in the Premier League, the second lowest of any non-relegated side.
Laacenuy
0
not premature signing, we need a good attacker not academic defender the one we have at academy is enough.
RGKhallyx
0
Reaching the final and loosing isn't an issue. We've finished position two 4 times in a row which is equivalent to reaching and loosing a final.
see this delusional fan😂😂😂🤡🤡🤡
Gun1
0
what about you?? when was the last time you have been to a final😂😂🥱🥱🤡🤡
Reaching the final and loosing isn't an issue. We've finished position two 4 times in a row which is equivalent to reaching and loosing a final.
RGKhallyx
0
And loosing that final to another relegation candidates🤣
what about you?? when was the last time you have been to a final😂😂🥱🥱🤡🤡
BaybayEmma
2
Here we go united, good signing.
Nuoabelnsu
1
Instead of the Team to Sign their Targets players... Oshimen, Mbeumo and Viktor, etc Rather buy this young lad... WHERE IS MY MAN UTD 😳😳🥹🥹
Nuoabelnsu
2
this Man UTD board can spend hundred years in Negotiate for one player....Mbeumo Mbeumo before you know it another team will sign him...
Gun1
0
relegation candidates going to finals 🤡🤡😂😂🥱🥱
And loosing that final to another relegation candidates🤣
NanbalRaphael
0
Yet Man U is still the only club that produce more and most talented in the premier League history
Who were the talent's from your academy?
RGKhallyx
0
Relegation candidates.
relegation candidates going to finals 🤡🤡😂😂🥱🥱
Gun1
0
Imagine a team that has not play in any final in five years spitting this rubbish against a team that has played 5finals in the last 5 years 😂😂😂
Relegation candidates.
AFerhiWo0485
0
That's a big blunder from the young kid. Man utd isn't a football team, it's a dangerous card. It's a trap to finish players careers.
Imagine a team that has not play in any final in five years spitting this rubbish against a team that has played 5finals in the last 5 years 😂😂😂
Gun1
0
Rest Players will keep coming like it or not
I pity players who are choosing Man utd unknowingly because they will have a hard time rediscovering their form.
GaddafiJamal
0
Yet Man U is still the only club that produce more and most talented in the premier League history
Not In Today’s Football 🤡🤣🤣
gyles45
0
That's a big blunder from the young kid. Man utd isn't a football team, it's a dangerous card. It's a trap to finish players careers.
Rest Players will keep coming like it or not
junaeilpsu
0
That's a big blunder from the young kid. Man utd isn't a football team, it's a dangerous card. It's a trap to finish players careers.
Yet they won more trophy than Arsenal
patapata
0
That's a big blunder from the young kid. Man utd isn't a football team, it's a dangerous card. It's a trap to finish players careers.
#sourgrapes 😂😂😂
Puheilny
0
That's a big blunder from the young kid. Man utd isn't a football team, it's a dangerous card. It's a trap to finish players careers.
haters always die badly
greenshoes
0
young and hihglt rated, pls dont crush your career at that club
Gun1
0
Yet Man U is still the only club that produce more and most talented in the premier League history
Currently, they're one of the most useless teams in world of sports.
Covenant0001
0
That's a big blunder from the young kid. Man utd isn't a football team, it's a dangerous card. It's a trap to finish players careers.
Yet Man U is still the only club that produce more and most talented in the premier League history
Gun1
2
That's a big blunder from the young kid. Man utd isn't a football team, it's a dangerous card. It's a trap to finish players careers.
yepeloprsz
1
who????
bokdmptz
0
hmm they will not sign better players always waiting tym for useless players
Diacdknyz
0
Arsenal always losing out on signing players, as usual the slowness of our management team, fk Arteta
Emchi
0
Is it for what?
Grayyyy
1
players with hyphen in their names are not very good 😌😌
makbimnrt
1
James should have thought of joining a team that could have made him improve and become an important player. At Man u, we expect to see him going down
rodbempru
2
who think at first its Leroy sane seeing the pic
The_Red_DeviIs
1
Yes. If SAF could achieve what he did with them and Barca too with Yamal, Cubarsi, and Balde, then we can do well with our youth...
Exactly what I been saying also!! Sir Matt Busby was also famous for saying “ play your youth, you don’t know what you’ve got unless you give them a go”
LordCarrington
1
You’re exactly right though and I’ve been saying it for a long time we need to trust in youth more !!
Yes. If SAF could achieve what he did with them and Barca too with Yamal, Cubarsi, and Balde, then we can do well with our youth...
LordCarrington
0
Bro it was 1992 🤦🏻♂️ Hence the name “class of 92”
I know, but in 1995, they started playing much more regularly
The_Red_DeviIs
1
In 1995, Sir Alex sold his star players and replaced them with young boys from the academy like Neville, Scholes, and Beckham. He would go on to win the league and the FA cup. I think we can do the same now if we can't sign players. There's Collyer, Kone, Amass, etc
You’re exactly right though and I’ve been saying it for a long time we need to trust in youth more !!
The_Red_DeviIs
1
In 1995, Sir Alex sold his star players and replaced them with young boys from the academy like Neville, Scholes, and Beckham. He would go on to win the league and the FA cup. I think we can do the same now if we can't sign players. There's Collyer, Kone, Amass, etc
Bro it was 1992 🤦🏻♂️ Hence the name “class of 92”
The_Red_DeviIs
3
Kids with hyphenated last names 🤦🏻♂️
Kesadlor
1
utd preparing for life in EFL
Micikmou
1
ya MU can only buy those kids that r easily influenced 🤣🤣🤣🤣nobody in the right mind will want to go to England relegation fighting club season after season🤣🤣🤣🤣small club
twikista
2
good man utd, they are building for the future..maybe 10-15 years
Arsenal has been building for 5 years but hasn't won a single trophy 😂😂😂
LordCarrington
3
In 1995, Sir Alex sold his star players and replaced them with young boys from the academy like Neville, Scholes, and Beckham. He would go on to win the league and the FA cup. I think we can do the same now if we can't sign players. There's Collyer, Kone, Amass, etc
BobbySaGE
1
good man utd, they are building for the future..maybe 10-15 years
Lolz crazy man
SkylarJohsua
4
good man utd, they are building for the future..maybe 10-15 years
Roocmotuyz
0
Oh my GOD....! this team again
Juhabiopru
2
aiaai man united