Manchester United has made a seven-figure bid for a young left-back, aiming to outbid Chelsea! Another academy prospect has confirmed his next club.

As reported by "Jingji Net," Manchester United has officially placed a bid to acquire Yisa Alao of Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. Chelsea is on the verge of signing the 17-year-old English left-back, but United is also engaged in continuous talks with the player’s agent, aiming to outmaneuver the Blues.

The offer for Alao is said to be over £1 million, including variable clauses. Before Christmas last year, Manchester United offered £450,000 but were rejected. They have now increased the upfront payment and added bonuses in another attempt to sign this rising star. Chelsea’s bid is even stronger, reportedly exceeding £500,000 upfront. Liverpool is also monitoring the situation and might join the competition at the last moment.

Interestingly, Alao only made 5 first-team appearances for Sheffield Wednesday in the first half of the season, totaling 186 minutes across the Championship, FA Cup, and League Cup. The player who kept him on the bench is Harry Arter, an 18-year-old left-back loaned from Manchester United to Sheffield Wednesday. After Arter was recalled by United, Alao played 63 minutes in the Championship match against Portsmouth on January 17 but was not included in the squad for Tuesday’s game against Birmingham City.

Sheffield Wednesday is facing severe financial difficulties, having been docked points twice this season for financial violations (a total deduction of 18 points). After 27 rounds, they stand at -7 points, trailing the second-last team by 31 points! They are firmly rooted at the bottom of the Championship, with relegation all but certain. Club management is working hard to ease the financial crisis and hopes to secure the highest possible transfer fee by selling Alao.

A product of Sheffield Wednesday’s youth academy, Alao made his senior debut last August in a League Cup match against Bolton at just 16 years old. He started his first senior match in the FA Cup against Brentford in January. The player is described as physically strong, fast, and capable both offensively and defensively, attracting attention from Premier League clubs monitoring his progress.

Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe took over, Manchester United has consistently stockpiled young talents. However, Brexit has limited the range of young players the Red Devils can sign, making domestic recruitment a common strategy.

Harry Arter, known as the "new Luke Shaw" during his half-season loan at Sheffield Wednesday, will not return to the club. According to Jingji Net, Manchester United has arranged a new loan deal for him with Norwich. Arter made 21 appearances and scored once for Sheffield Wednesday, winning the club’s player of the month award twice.

Norwich’s situation in the Championship is slightly better than Sheffield Wednesday’s, currently sitting 20th, just 2 points above the relegation zone, facing a tough fight to avoid demotion. Manchester United hopes this environment will benefit Arter, offering more valuable experience than playing for a team already doomed to relegation.

Manchester United is not charging a loan fee and is covering all of Arter’s wages during the loan period, providing Norwich with better terms to offer the player more playing time and attract him to the club.

So far this winter transfer window, Manchester United’s moves have been limited to academy players, first selling 21-year-old winger Sam Mather to Kayserispor in Turkey, while 22-year-old Toby Collier has been confirmed on loan to Hull City, currently fourth in the Championship. Collier was loaned to West Bromwich Albion in the first half of the season, making 12 appearances, but a calf injury in November forced an early return to United. His official move to Hull City may be delayed until next week to allow United to complete his final treatment.

Both Arter and Collier gained playing opportunities last season during Ruben Amorim’s team injury crisis, with Collier making 13 appearances and Arter 7, but the new head coach Carrick does not plan to utilize them frequently.