[ad_1]
33
Manchester United have won the race to sign teenage prodigy James Overy, according to reports.
Alan Nixon has revealed on his Patreon that United have fended off interest from Everton and West Ham to sign him.
The 16-year-old moved with his family from Australia to England last summer and played for a local non-league club between trials with various Premier League clubs.
The Manchester Evening News reported that “United have offered Overy a scholarship and the club ‘hope’ the youngster will decide to join the academy.”
Overy has spent time training with each of United, Everton and West Ham, but his tour of the Carrington ground left the impression that he was brought to Manchester.
Despite his young age, the youngster has played senior football for non-league side Newton Abbot Spurs AFC alongside his older brother this season, scoring three goals in six matches.
Before moving to England, Overy was also part of Perth Glory’s under-21 squad and featured in a first-team friendly against West Ham aged just 15.
It is still unclear where he will slot into United’s squad, but given his experience, he could push straight into Travis Binnion’s U21 side.
The Australian club will receive compensation from United under FIFA rulings, but because of Overy’s dual citizenship, United will not have to wait until he turns 18 to sign a deal like most international transfers.
The defender is eligible to represent both Australia and England on the international stage.
Usually operating at right-back, Overy can also play further up the field.
The move will see him join a small list of Australians who have played for United, with only Mark Bosnich playing at first team level for the club.
United will complete another academy transfer as the summer has only just begun after Tyler Mexes Silva-Earnshaw announced his signing this week.
Want to be the first to hear the latest Man United news? For handpicked, key updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.
[ad_2]
