Manchester United are set to continue their investment in young talent by signing teenage midfielders David Eze and Karim Cassim from neighbours Manchester City.
Earlier this week, United agreed a deal worth £4million plus up to another £4m in add-ons with Tottenham for winger Tynan Thompson subject to the player’s registration.
It’s understood they are now close to signing 16-year-olds Eze and Cassim from City as well, with United hopeful of getting both deals over the line.
Eze has captained England Under-16s but is also eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland, having been born in Dublin before moving to Manchester at the age of six. A powerful box-to-box midfielder, he has also played for City’s Under-17s side.
Cassim featured for City’s Under-18s in their successful FA Youth Cup campaign last season, which ended with them beating United in the final, and has also played alongside United’s rising star JJ Gabriel for England Under-17s.
Assuming both players make the move across town, Eze and Cassim will go into United’s age-group teams at Carrington, unlike Thompson who is being integrated straight into the senior squad as part of the club’s emerging talent system.
Manchester United are close to snatching 16-year-old David Eze from neighbours Man City
City youngseter Karim Cassim is also understood to be close to switching to United
United have stepped up their investment in youth since Ineos took over the day-to-day running of the club, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe stating his ambition to sign top young players before they become stars and cost huge transfer fees.
‘It’s not that clever is it buying (Kylian) Mbappe?’ said Ratcliffe in 2024, shortly after completing his minority takeover.
‘Anyone could figure that one out, but what is much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe, or the next (Jude) Bellingham, or the next Roy Keane.’
