Man United Inserts Sell-On Clauses as Arsenal Targets Academy Duo
Manchester United are preparing to wave goodbye to two of their academy prospects – but they are determined it will not be the last time they profit from them.
Arsenal are set to sign right-back Habeeb Ogunneye and winger James Scanlon from Old Trafford, with United building in hefty sell-on clauses as part of the deals, according to The Athletic.
Both transfers are expected to be free moves in terms of upfront fees. The real value for United lies down the line.
Arsenal Move Early on United Duo
Ogunneye, a 20-year-old right-back, has already undergone a medical with Arsenal ahead of his proposed switch. Scanlon, 19, is also understood to be close to finalising his move to north London.
The pair will drop into Arsenal’s development setup, but they will not be walking into an unfamiliar dressing room. New under-21s head coach David Horseman knows both players from his brief four-month spell in United’s academy, and that familiarity has helped smooth the path.
For United, the departures fit a clear pattern. The club are leaning hard into a model where academy exits are structured to protect future upside.
United Turn Academy Into Asset Engine
The Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan changed the landscape for academies. Producing first-team players remains the ideal outcome, but there is now a parallel objective: develop talent that can be sold on, sustainably and smartly.
Chelsea have set the benchmark, banking more than £400million from academy-produced players. Those homegrown sales count as pure profit under the old PSR (profit and sustainability) rules, a crucial lever for any club trying to stay competitive in the market.
United are now trying to follow that path with more precision. The exits are stacking up this summer.
Last week, winger Ethan Ennis joined League One side Stockport County. Before him, Ethan Williams left for Peterborough United, goalkeeper Radek Vitek moved to Middlesbrough, and defender Tyler Fredricson signed for Ineos-owned Lausanne Sport.
The structure of those deals tells the story.
- Williams’ move came with a 50 per cent sell-on clause, a buyback option and matching rights.
- Vitek’s transfer brought in a substantial initial fee that could climb to £14m, alongside a 35 per cent sell-on, plus buyback and matching rights again.
- Fredricson’s switch included what was described as a “high percentage” sell-on clause and a buyback option.
Ogunneye and Scanlon are expected to follow a similar template, with significant sell-on clauses locked in despite the free-transfer tag.
Ratcliffe’s Blueprint Takes Shape
This is not accidental. It is strategy.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been clear about what he wants from United’s youth system.
“You need the academy to be producing talent all the time. It helps you financially,” he said on The Business Podcast last October.
The message has now reached the transfer department. If a youngster cannot see a clear route into Erik ten Hag’s squad, United want to ensure they still benefit if that player blossoms elsewhere.
Arsenal may be getting Ogunneye and Scanlon for nothing up front. If either of them breaks through and moves again for big money, United will be waiting, ready to cash in on work that began in their own academy.
