Several Premier League clubs were in the race for a highly rated Wolves attacker, with Manchester United able to get the deal done.
The transfer window is dominated by high-profile moves for established pros, but signings for the future can end up being far more impactful.
Take Rio Ngumoha, the 16-year-old winger lighting up the pitch for Liverpool in pre-season. The Reds poached the youngster from Chelsea last summer in a massive coup that went under the radar at the time. Fast forward 12 months and Ngumoha is one of the most promising teenagers in English football.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Manchester United will hope their investment yields similar results.
Wolves academy winger Ben Lyne reaches agreement to join Manchester United
Manchester United have reached an agreement for 15-year-old Wolves forward Ben Lyne.
On the day one future star signs a contract with Wolves, another prospect has exited the club.
Excl: Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign highly rated Wolves under-15 forward Ben Lyne.
Several Premier League clubs showed interest in Lyne, who can play at left wing, or as a centre-forward. pic.twitter.com/FpfCQbUC5U
— SCOOP. (@AcademyScoop) August 12, 2025
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Lyne is a versatile forward comfortable playing on the left and through the middle. He was reportedly subject to interest from a number of Premier League clubs, but after a series of negotiations, he’s on his way to Old Trafford.
He follows Matheus Cunha up north, and Wolves fans will certainly be keeping an eye on the youngster’s career, equal parts wishing him well and hoping a future world-beater hasn’t slipped through the cracks.
Attention on Wolves’ academy grows as trend of trusting in youth continues
Football is fluid, and trends come and go. In 2024/25, there was a noticeable increase in chances being given to teenagers in the senior team.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is one of the driving forces behind this, facilitating the breakouts of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly last season, while 15-year-old Max Dowman has also been given a chance in the first team this pre-season.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Further afield, Lamine Yamal announced himself on the world stage last season, spurring serious conversations about whether a 17-year-old could be the best player on the planet.
This trend is one to watch, as more and more business is done between clubs at youth level.
The likes of Mateus Mane, who appeared in the Premier League last season at 17, and newly committed Emilio Ballard-Matthews will be players to keep an eye on at Wolves this season.