Arsenal's Youth Recruitment Targets: Scanlon and Ogunneye
Arsenal are closing in on a double raid of Manchester United’s academy as they step up an aggressive reset of their youth recruitment.
Talks are advancing over winger James Scanlon, while a deal for right-back Habeeb Ogunneye is already in place.
Arsenal turn the spotlight on Scanlon
At 19, James Scanlon is not a household name. Inside academy circles, he is rapidly becoming one.
Leicester-born and already a senior international with Gibraltar, Scanlon has 24 caps to his name and spent the second half of last season on loan at Swindon Town in League Two. That blend of first-team exposure and international experience has pushed him to the top of Arsenal’s list as they look to deepen the pathway beneath Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Arsenal have held fresh talks with United and are pushing to strike an agreement on the fee. The expectation in north London is that the situation could move quickly, with the club hopeful of significant progress within the next 72 hours.
On the player’s side, there is little concern. Arsenal are confident personal terms will not be a stumbling block, with Scanlon understood to be keen on the move to London.
This is not a scattergun chase. Two figures inside the club have driven the pursuit.
Chris Perkins, appointed in 2023 as Arsenal’s professional development phase scout, has tracked Scanlon’s rise for years. Perkins spent six seasons as head of academy recruitment at Derby County, overseeing the winger’s progress through the age groups there. His admiration for Scanlon predates United’s involvement.
The second key voice is David Horseman. Confirmed earlier this week as Arsenal’s new Under-21 head coach, Horseman has strongly recommended Scanlon after working with him during a brief spell at United. Horseman joined Arsenal last year as elite player development coach, leading the U19s in the UEFA Youth League and the U21s in the EFL Trophy. His endorsement carries weight, and the club have acted on it.
Ogunneye deal lined up
While Scanlon’s fee is still being thrashed out, Arsenal have already struck an agreement for Habeeb Ogunneye.
The 20-year-old right-back, who featured in several Manchester United first-team matchday squads under Erik ten Hag during the 2023/24 campaign, spent the first half of last season on loan at Newport County in League Two before United recalled him in January.
Arsenal have scheduled a medical for Thursday, with an official announcement expected over the weekend. Ogunneye will join on a free transfer, though United have secured a 40 per cent sell-on clause as part of the deal.
The plan is clear: Ogunneye will link up with Arsenal’s U21s while also training regularly with Arteta’s senior group at London Colney, giving him a direct line into first-team standards.
Two young defenders and wingers from Old Trafford, one youth system in north London being reshaped. Arsenal’s academy rebuild is no longer a quiet project in the background; it is starting to bite into their rivals’ talent pools.
