Manchester United have raided Manchester City for highly rated midfielder Karim Cassim — just weeks after seeing two of their own academy players move to Arsenal.
The 17-year-old has crossed the Manchester divide after leaving City's academy, with United completing the move after it was approved by the Premier League.
Cassim is regarded as one of the exciting young prospects in City's system and was part of their FA Youth Cup-winning side last season. The midfielder will now continue his development at Carrington as United look to add another potential first-team player to their academy ranks.
His arrival comes after United lost James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye to Arsenal earlier this summer.
Scanlon, a 19-year-old winger and Gibraltar international, joined the Gunners on a permanent deal after becoming a regular for United's Under-21s and spending time on loan at Swindon Town.
Right-back Ogunneye, 20, also completed a permanent move to Arsenal after a spell with Newport County last season. He had progressed through United's Under-18 and Under-21 sides and made several senior squads before leaving Old Trafford.
The movement highlights the increasingly competitive battle between Premier League clubs for academy talent.
United have responded by strengthening their own youth ranks, with Cassim following fellow midfielder David Eze in making the move from City. They have also brought in Liverpool youngster Isaac Konde as part of the recruitment drive.
For United, Cassim represents another opportunity to replenish an academy that has recently lost players to a direct Premier League rival.
And with clubs increasingly targeting young talent from each other's development systems, the battle for the next generation is becoming almost as competitive as the one being fought at first-team level.
