Manchester United in talks to sign 14-year-old Derby striker Blake Henry after 45-goal season

Manchester United are in talks to sign Blake Henry, a 14-year-old striker who scored 45 goals across all competitions last season and is expected to leave Derby County this summer.

Henry, an England Under-15 international, has drawn interest from clubs across the country, with Manchester City also understood to be monitoring the forward. United, however, are believed to be at the front of the queue for his signature.

The youngster made an early impression in senior youth football this season, featuring in the U18 Premier League for Derby — one of the youngest players to appear in that competition — just months after turning 14. He played 24 minutes across two appearances at that level, but his prolific form across all age groups has marked him out as one of the most exciting attacking prospects in England.

Derby County will be entitled to compensation should Henry complete a move to Old Trafford. The fee will be determined by a range of factors including his age, the length of his time in Derby’s academy, the category of the signing club’s academy, and his development and training costs. If the two clubs cannot reach a direct agreement, the matter would be referred to a Professional Football Compensation Committee tribunal to settle the figure.

The pursuit of Henry is part of a broader push by United to strengthen their academy this summer. The club have been actively assessing young talent at rival academies as they look to build out their pipeline of homegrown prospects.