Manchester United are in advanced talks to sign Leicester City's highly-rated 18-year-old midfielder Louis Page, according to reports, beating Arsenal and Aston Villa to the England youth international's signature. The move would mark United's third midfield addition this summer, following the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans under manager Michael Carrick.
United's pursuit of Page
BBC Sport reports that United are working on a deal for Page, who turned 18 last month and has already made 21 senior appearances for Leicester. The box-to-box midfielder most recently featured in the Foxes' Carabao Cup win over Northampton Town on Saturday. Page enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, earning the Championship Apprentice of the Year award, though he was unable to prevent Leicester's relegation to League One.
Arsenal and Aston Villa have shown significant interest in Page, but United appear to be winning the race, with the player reportedly keen on a move to Manchester. If completed, it would be the second time this summer that Arsenal have missed out on a Leicester teenager, after Jeremy Monga joined Manchester City for an initial £10 million.
Praise from former Leicester boss
Last September, then-Leicester manager Marti Cifuentes praised both Page and Monga for their fearlessness and personality. "They are playing because they are good. Of course we need to help them to develop their qualities, because there's a lot of quality with those guys," Cifuentes said. "They will play better some days than others because we know as a young player sometimes there are ups and downs. But I'm most pleased that they show personality. They want the ball, they are not afraid. They play with the freedom I like them to play with."
United's decision on academy graduate
While United look to sign Page, they face a decision on whether to sell academy graduate Jaydan Kamason. The Daily Mail reports that Southampton are keen to sign the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent deal, while Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City, and Sheffield Wednesday have also shown interest. However, those at Carrington rate Kamason highly, especially after his impressive pre-season performances with the first team, and it seems he will likely stay at United for at least the first half of the season.
Impact on the season
The potential signing of Page would add depth to United's midfield as they prepare for the upcoming campaign. With the club also targeting young prospects, the move aligns with their strategy of building for the future while competing at the top level. For Arsenal, missing out on Page and Monga could prompt them to look elsewhere, with reports linking them to £85m winger and other targets. The race for Page's signature highlights the intense competition among Premier League clubs for the EFL's most promising talents.
