4
Manchester United have won the race to sign teen prodigy James Overy, according to reports.
Alan Nixon revealed on his Patreon that United have fended off interest from Everton and West Ham to make the signing.
The 16 year old moved with his family from Australia to England last summer and has played with a local non-league club between trialling with various Premier League clubs.
The Manchester Evening News have reported that “United have offered Overy a scholarship deal and the club are ‘hopeful’ the youngster will decide to join the academy.”
Overy spent time training with each of United, Everton, and West Ham but his tour of the Carrington grounds left an impression to bring him to Manchester.
Despite his tender age, the youngster has played senior football for non-league outfit Newton Abbot Spurs A.F.C. this season alongside his older brother, scoring three goals in six matches.
Before making the move to England, Overy was also a part of Perth Glory’s u21s squad and made an appearance in a first team friendly against West Ham at just 15 years old.
It is unclear yet where he will slot into the United set up, but given his experience he may push straight into Travis Binnion’s u21s side.
The Australian club will be due compensation from United under FIFA rulings, but due to Overy’s dual nationality, United will not have to wait until he is 18 to sign as with most international transfers.
The defender is eligible to represent both Australia and England on the international stage.
Typically operating at right back, Overy can also play further up the pitch.
The move will see him join a small list of Australians to have played for United, with only Mark Bosnich having played at first team level for the club.
United will complete yet another academy transfer as the summer has just barely begun after Tyler Mexes Silva-Earnshaw announced his signing this week.
Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.