Arsenal Targets James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye
Arsenal are preparing another raid on Manchester United’s academy, with talks ongoing over winger James Scanlon after striking a deal to bring right-back Habeeb Ogunneye to north London.
The push is clear. Arsenal want to load their pathway with high-upside youth, and 19-year-old Scanlon has moved rapidly to the top of their list.
Arsenal step up Scanlon chase
Scanlon, born in Leicester but already a full international with Gibraltar, caught attention during a loan spell at Swindon Town in League Two in the second half of last season. He has 24 senior caps for Gibraltar, qualifying through his mother, and that level of experience at his age has not gone unnoticed at London Colney.
Arsenal believe personal terms will be straightforward, with Scanlon understood to be eager to make the move to the capital. The real work lies between the clubs. Negotiations with United over a fee are ongoing, but there is optimism in north London that the deal could move quickly, with the next 72 hours viewed as key.
Two voices inside Arsenal have driven this pursuit.
Chris Perkins, appointed in 2023 as a professional development phase scout, has tracked Scanlon’s rise for years. Perkins previously spent six years as head of academy recruitment at Derby County while Scanlon came through the age groups there, and his long-standing belief in the winger has carried into his current role.
Then there is David Horseman. Officially named this week as Arsenal’s new Under-21 head coach, Horseman has strongly recommended Scanlon to the club. He joined Arsenal a year ago as elite player development coach, leading the U19s in the UEFA Youth League and the U21s in the EFL Trophy, but crucially, he also had a short spell at United where he worked directly with Scanlon and came away impressed.
That combination of detailed knowledge and internal backing has pushed Arsenal to act.
Ogunneye deal close as double swoop looms
Scanlon is not the only young Red in Arsenal’s sights. The club are also closing in on 20-year-old right-back Habeeb Ogunneye, turning this into a potential double move from Old Trafford.
Ogunneye, who has been named in several United first-team matchday squads under Erik ten Hag during the 2023/24 season, spent the first half of last term on loan at Newport County in League Two before United recalled him in January.
Standard Sport understands Arsenal have already scheduled a medical for Ogunneye on Thursday, with an official announcement expected over the weekend. He is set to join on a free transfer, with United retaining a 40 per cent sell-on clause.
The plan is clear: Ogunneye will link up with the Under-21s but also train with Mikel Arteta’s first team, dropping straight into a development pathway that has already elevated several youngsters into senior contention.
Arsenal’s senior recruitment has dominated headlines in recent windows. Now the youth operation is starting to bite just as hard — and United’s academy is firmly in their sights.
