The Athletic reported that Manchester United signed 16-year-old defender Harley Emsden James from Southampton's youth training academy and will pay 1 million pounds of compensation, and Southampton retains a 20% second transfer share clause.

The joining of the England youth international continues the Red Devils' signing strategy of signing young talents such as Obi Martin, Cone, Haven and Leon in the past year.

Manchester United football director Jason Wilcox transferred from Southampton to Old Trafford in April 2024. He initially served as technical director and was just promoted to his current position this month. The former football executive who worked at Manchester City left the Saints for only nine months.

In recent years, Southampton youth training elites have continued to lose. Last season, Gomez Rodriguez and Miles joined Lyon and Manchester City respectively, while the Saints lost Doyle (Brighton) and Morgan (Chelsea) the year before.

Although Emsden James has been participating in the cross-age group in Southampton, the staff have long expected his departure. However, as a youth training seedling that the club focuses on developing, frequent blood loss will hinder the established goal of the Saints to improve the youth training system.