DONE DEAL: Manchester United completes double transfer signings as the Gunners signed South American aggressive striker after collapsing the deal for Bryan Mbeumo

Manchester United are set to complete three signings next week as they aim to bolster their youth ranks in the summer transfer window.

United have already completed their first senior signing after Matheus Cunha joined in a £62.5 million deal from Wolves, while talks are ongoing over a revised bid for Brentford ace Bryan Mbeumo. Ruben Amorim also wants to add a striker to his squad, with various options considered at this very early stage of the summer.
It is not all about the first-team though, with United set to recruit some fine talent at youth level and the deals are set to be completed next week. Manchester World revealed over the weekend Diego Leon will join from Cerro Porteño after an agreement was reached to sign him back in January, while Enzo Kana-Biyik is set to arrive from Le Havre. United have also agreed to sign Southampton youngster Harley Emsden-James when his contract expires at the end of the month.
Three signings expected next week
Manchester United reached an agreement to sign teenage full-back Diego Leon in the January transfer window but were unable to complete a deal until he turned 18 in April. The Paraguayan visited Manchester earlier in the year to complete his initial medical examinations and will officially be confirmed as a new signing early next month.

It is understood the 18-year-old will sign an initial five-year deal at the club as part of a transfer fee that could eventually be worth as much as £7 million. United will pay Cerro Porteño an initial fee in the region of £3.2m, with add-ons that could eventually see it rise to the higher figure.
United reached an agreement to sign teenage forward Enzo Kana-Biyik from Le Havre last month, with the French youngster set to join when his current deal expires at the end of the month. It is understood United will formally announce the signings of both Leon and Kana-Biyik with brief statements once the deals have been officially completed.
United are also set to complete the signing of Southampton youngster Harley Emsden-James when his current deal comes to an end next week. United view the teenage centre-back as a player with huge potential and will pay a compensation package in the region of £1 million for his services, that also includes a 20 percent sell-on clause for the Championship club.
Emsden-James is set to play for United’s U18 side next season and has already represented England at U15 level. It is understood a key reason why he has opted for a move to Manchester is due to the clear pathway between the youth set-up and the first-team squad.

Manchester United are on the verge of finalizing **three exciting youth signings** next week, reinforcing their long-term vision under INEOS and Dan Ashworth’s strategic leadership. While senior transfers like **Matheus Cunha (£62.5m)** grab headlines, United’s youth recruitment drive is also gathering serious momentum.

Here’s a breakdown of the **three youth signings** set to be completed next week:

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### 🔴 **1. Diego Leon (Right-back, 18) – From Cerro Porteño**

* 🇵🇾 **Nationality:** Paraguayan
* 💰 **Fee:** £3.2m initial, rising to £7m with add-ons
* 📅 **Contract:** Five-year deal
* ✅ **Medical completed** earlier this year after his 18th birthday
* 🔎 **Profile:** Technically strong, aggressive defender with attacking instincts; already on the radar of South American scouts as a future senior international.

Leon has been tracked since last year and is viewed as a long-term option at right-back. His playing style draws comparisons to Juan Cuadrado in his youth, with solid ball progression and overlapping runs.

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### 🔴 **2. Enzo Kana-Biyik (Forward, 16) – From Le Havre**

* 🇫🇷 **Nationality:** French
* 📅 **Joins:** Free transfer at end of his Le Havre contract
* 🧠 **Why United?**: Strong reputation for nurturing young talent and clear U21 pathway under Travis Binnion and Nick Cox
* 🔎 **Profile:** A direct, pacey attacker with raw flair and impressive movement; part of a highly regarded French youth cohort.

Kana-Biyik has impressed in France’s youth setup and was courted by other European clubs, but United’s track record with youth helped seal the deal.

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### 🔴 **3. Harley Emsden-James (Centre-back, 16) – From Southampton**

* 🏴 **Nationality:** English
* 💰 **Compensation:** \~£1m + 20% sell-on clause
* 📅 **Joins:** When current deal expires at end of June
* 📈 **Development Path:** Set to feature for U18s next season
* 🔎 **Profile:** Composed, ball-playing defender who has represented **England U15s**. Stands out for leadership, anticipation, and calmness under pressure.

Emsden-James chose United over offers from rival Premier League academies because of the **clear youth-to-senior progression**, especially under Erik ten Hag, who has promoted Mainoo, Garnacho, and Amass recently.

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### ⚽ **Why This Matters for United**

* 🔍 **Strategic Recruitment:** Ashworth and Jason Wilcox are implementing a robust youth acquisition policy alongside INEOS’ data-driven vision.
* 🌱 **Talent Pipeline:** United want to ensure elite talent keeps flowing into the academy to avoid expensive senior purchases in the future.
* 🧠 **Pathway Proof:** Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho are examples used to pitch to these young players—proof that youth will get chances.

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Would you like a scouting report or playing style comparison of Diego Leon or Harley Emsden-James to current United defenders?