Manchester United agree sensational summer signing by promising something nobody else could

When Manchester United fans look back on the 2024 summer transfer window in the years to come, there might be one signing who stands out more than the rest.

Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro are already popular additions to the first-team squad. Still, it could be the proposed signing of teenage forward Chidozie Obi-Martin who trumps the rest.

United are set to win the race to sign the 16-year-old striker, who is regarded as one of the hottest young talents in world football and who is already being tipped to reach the very top.

Of course, as with any youth signing, this is all potential. He could be one of the very best, but there are no guarantees he will be. United believe they are the club best placed to help him realise such enormous heights, but he must remain grounded amid all of the hysteria.

United head of academy Nick Cox played a key role in convincing Obi-Martin that his future was best suited to Old Trafford. At the same time, it has been reported Ruud van Nistelrooy also held direct talks with the striker to persuade him to make the move. It is all compelling stuff, but ultimately what convinced the teenager to move to Manchester was not the buzzwords and promises, but the proven track record United have for giving youngsters a chance when many other clubs are reluctant to do so.

Erik ten Hag has taken on a more hands-on approach with the academy since he joined the club, having felt the U21s were 'isolated' before his arrival. He takes an active role in deciding which youngsters train with the first team and has made it his mission for at least one youth team player to become part of the first team during every season he's at the club.

Ten Hag is insistent he won't allow youngsters simply to keep up traditions and he has made it clear that only the very best youth prospects will be given a chance in the senior set-up. Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, and Willy Kambwala all did so, while Toby Collyer, Ethan Wheatley, and Harry Amass are all viewed as contenders to make the permanent switch in the year ahead.

In the Dutchman, Obi-Martin has a proven ally in youth development and a manager who won't be afraid to give him his chance if he thinks he is up to it. United will sign Obi-Martin to a scholarship agreement with a pre-pro agreement, before switching to a professional contract upon reaching his 17th birthday in November and he will predominately feature for the U18s, with a view of him making it into the first team. This is something Arsenal also believed, but couldn't convince him of. Last season, United gave 4,924 minutes to teenagers in the Premier League, and Arsenal gave just 13.

At the first-team level, it might seem an obvious choice to choose Mikel Arteta's side over Ten Hag's, but when it comes to youth development, United are still the very best in class. Obi-Martin could soon help make it a no-brainer at both.