Manchester United are reportedly set to sign Watford’s teenage defender Harry Amass. The 16-year-old left-back has signed an early scholarship deal with Watford, which will keep him at the club until he is 18. However, due to the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan, Man Utd will have to pay compensation to Watford for the transfer. While the transfer has not been officially completed, a deal has been agreed between the two clubs.
Who is Harry Amass?
Harry Amass is a highly-rated left-back who joined Watford seven years ago. He has established himself as an exciting prospect and has already featured for the Hornets’ U18 and U21 sides. Amass is set to represent England at the U17 World Cup later this year and was also included in Watford’s first-team bench for their FA Cup tie against Reading in January. Watford offered him a two-year professional contract in an attempt to keep him beyond his scholarship deal, but due to his age, the club had to wait for him to turn 17 before agreeing on a deal.
What does this mean for Manchester United?
Amass is set to become Man Utd’s first signing of the summer, and it seems that he won’t be the only one. According to reports, Dutch head coach Erik ten Hag is looking to axe 13 players from his squad to make way for fresh faces. The list of departures includes club captain Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho, Scott McTominay, and Anthony Martial. These exits come as United eye moves for Andre Onana, Mason Mount, Adrien Rabiot, and Randal Kolo Muani.
What is the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan?
The Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) was introduced in 2012 to improve the quality and quantity of homegrown players produced by English clubs. The plan requires clubs to invest in their youth academies and provide a clear pathway for young players to progress to the first team. The EPPP also sets out a compensation system for clubs who lose young players to other clubs. The compensation is based on a number of factors, including the player’s age, the length of time they have been at the club, and the level of development they have received.
Conclusion
Manchester United’s reported signing of Harry Amass is a sign of their commitment to investing in young talent. The Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan has made it easier for clubs to sign young players from other clubs, but it has also encouraged clubs to invest in their youth academies and develop their own talent. Amass is just one example of the many talented young players who are coming through the ranks of English football, and it will be interesting to see how he develops at Old Trafford.