Arsenal have started to answer Manchester United’s academy raids of the last two years.

According to a report by Sam Dean for The Telegraph, Mikel Arteta’s club is working on permanent moves for two of United’s most highly rated young prospects: 19-year-old winger James Scanlon and 20-year-old right-back Habeeb Ogunneye. Both players’ contracts at Old Trafford expire in June 2027, meaning any move this summer would command only a nominal fee.

Scanlon already has terms agreed

Scanlon, a Gibraltar international, has reportedly agreed a two-year contract with an option for a further 12 months. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Swindon Town in League Two, scoring once in six appearances.

He has yet to make a senior appearance for United in the Premier League, but produced 39 goal contributions in 50 games at Under-18 level for the club before that loan spell.

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Ogunneye recalled from Newport in January

Ogunneye spent the first half of last season on loan at Newport County, also in League Two, before United recalled him in January after 21 appearances. He has been included in first-team matchday squads at Old Trafford, but has not made his Premier League debut for the club.

If he moves this summer, he is likely to play Under-21 football for Arsenal in 2026/27 rather than compete with Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Cristhian Mosquera for a first-team place at right-back.

Obi and Heaven went the other way

Michael Carrick’s United have taken Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven from the Arsenal academy in the last two windows, and this move is being read as Arsenal’s response to those departures. Rather than chase back the same finished prospects, Arteta’s recruitment team has gone after two players who are still short of a first-team breakthrough at United and whose contracts leave them cheap.

Scanlon and Ogunneye are not the only teenagers on Arsenal’s list this summer. The club has agreed terms with Vincent Joseph of Liverpool and Mylo Bernard of Crystal Palace, is close to a deal for Cardiff City’s Axel Donczew, and has already signed Elijah Upson from Tottenham.

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The aim, before the transfer window closes in September, is to add both United youngsters to that list.

Sources: – [2026-27 Manchester United F.C. season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026%E2%80%9327_Manchester_United_F.C._season)

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