United “leading chase” to complete £1m signing of rival PL club’s defensive prodigy, he could be Ayden Heaven 2.0 – report

Manchester United are reportedly in pole position to snap up highly-rated Southampton wonderkid Harley Emsden-James.

From the moment Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS assumed operational control of United in February last year, the club’s transfer strategy shifted dramatically from signing already established superstars to recruiting young up-and-coming players that can be nurtured to potentially become world-class.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, United have squandered significant sums on signings who have largely failed to justify their hefty price tags.

Over the past year, United have signed promising youngsters such as Chido Obi (17), Ayden Heaven (18), and Sekou Kone (18). Both Obi and Heaven have already made their first-team debuts, with Heaven, in particular, emerging as a key figure under Amorim.

Meanwhile, Kone has been involved with the senior set-up, regularly training with the first team and earning spots in matchday squads.

As the summer transfer window approaches, United are keeping tabs on a number of promising talents both in England and abroad and according to the Daily Mail, Emsden-James is on their radar.

The newspaper notes that the 16-year-old defender is wanted by a number of Premier League clubs but United are “leading the chase” to land him.

Some of the other teams pursuing Emsden-James are Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.

United are “hoping they have won the race” for the England youth international, thanks to the influence of technical director Jason Wilcox.

Wilcox, of course, knows Emsden-James well from their time together at St Mary’s.

The Mail add that it will cost United £1m to sign the teenager – a similar sum to what the club forked out to pry Heaven from Arsenal.

Presumably, Emsden-James will start in the youth system at Carrington, with the aim of gradually progressing and earning a chance to impress under Ruben Amorim.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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