United close to losing Scanlon and Ogunneye to Arsenal as Kambwala exit brings sell-on windfall

Manchester United are facing the departure of two academy players to Arsenal while simultaneously pursuing Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba in a summer window that manager Michael Carrick is working to shape before the Premier League season begins.

Winger James Scanlon, 19, and defender Habeeb Ogunneye, 20, are both reportedly on their way to Arsenal. The Evening Standard claims Scanlon — a Gibraltar international who spent part of last season on loan at Swindon Town — is a priority target for the Gunners, with personal terms not expected to be an obstacle. Ogunneye, who had a loan spell at Newport County before returning to United in January, was reportedly due to complete his medical on Thursday. United are understood to retain a 40 per cent sell-on clause on the defender, who is expected to join Arsenal’s Under-21 setup with access to first-team training.

On the inbound side, United have tabled a bid worth up to £65m for Baleba, the Cameroon international who would become the club’s most expensive signing of the summer. Carrick’s side have already spent around £85m on midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, and Baleba is seen as the final piece of that midfield rebuild.

United will also receive a financial return from former defender Willy Kambwala, who is poised to leave Villarreal. The 21-year-old made 10 appearances for United before moving to the Spanish club in 2024, with Old Trafford negotiating a sizeable sell-on clause into that deal. Italian side Como are reported to be leading the race for Kambwala, with La Liga club Osasuna also interested. Because Kambwala is not expected to command a large fee, the sum returning to United will be modest rather than transformative.