Manchester United are reportedly on the verge of signing 16-year-old Stevenage goalkeeping prospect Elyh Harrison this summer.
According to football journalist Alex Crook, Manchester United are closing in on the capture of Elyh Harrison. The 16-year-old goalkeeper currently plies his trade with Stevenage and is currently regarded as one of the most promising shot-stoppers in his age group, with many backing him to achieve great success in professional football.
It appears Harrison is poised to take the next step in his footballing career already by joining Manchester United in the coming season. The Premier League giants have agreed a deal with Stevenage to sign the youngster at the end of the season, as new coach Erik ten Hag looks to shore up his options in the goalkeeping department.
Manchester United, after all, are facing a precarious situation in the last line of defence, with questions being asked over the long-term future of David de Gea, in light of his contract, that expires at the end of next season.
Although recent reports indicate the club are keen on tying the Spaniard down to a new contract, there is a dearth of reliable alternatives for the former Atletico Madrid sensation, especially with Dean Henderson falling out of favour at Old Trafford, while Tom Heaton is well past his prime.
#MUFC have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated 16-year-old Stevenage goalkeeper Elyh Harrison
— Alex Crook ⚽️??? (@alex_crook) May 9, 2022
Henderson is likely to be offloaded at the end of the season. The Englishman remains a top target for West Ham United and Newcastle United, and his potential exit could create a massive void in the goalkeeping unit, forcing Manchester United to go after a new ‘keeper that can serve as an understudy for de Gea.
At the age of just 16, Elyh Harrison is far from a finished product. But he has shown tremendous talent in the lower youth ranks and has firmly established himself as one of the most exciting goalkeeping talents in the lower leagues of English football.
Given his age, the Englishman has time on his side and could go on to become a top-quality goalkeeper, especially if he can thrive under Manchester United’s elite youth training facility that has yielded talents such as Marcus Rashford, Brandon Williams and Anthony Elanga among many others, in recent years.
In the meantime, Manchester United also remain keen on signing a proven understudy for de Gea. They are considering a move for Red Bull Salzburg starlet Philipp Kohn, but signing the Swiss stopper could be tricky as the club are unlikely to offer him much game-time.
