Leeds United Close to Signing Silva Mexes from Manchester United 2026 Leeds

Key Points

• Leeds United are close to signing 16-year-old Manchester United winger Silva Mexes (full name: Silva Mexes Tyler-Earnshaw) as their second Manchester United academy youngster this year
• An agreement is in place for Mexes to initially sign a scholarship deal with Leeds, with a professional contract promise when he turns 17 in early 2027
• Mexes will join Leeds’ Under-18 and Under-21 age groups from next season
• The teenager is the son of former Wales striker Robert Earnshaw, who played for Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest, and West Brom
• Mexes joined Manchester United from Ipswich Town in summer 2024 at age 14 and has failed to agree scholarship terms at Old Trafford
• The 16-year-old is a Thailand youth international (U17 Asian Cup) through his mother’s side and represents Thailand at Under-17 level
• Mexes is known for his “blistering pace” and has been described as an “unbelievable” signing by sources
• Leeds previously signed Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher, a 17-year-old Serbian midfielder born in Leeds, from Manchester United in February 2026 on a deal until 2028
• Ibrovic-Fletcher has become a regular at Under-18 level and made five Premier League 2 appearances for Leeds Under-21s
• Leeds United finished 14th in the Premier League in their first season back, and manager Daniel Farke wants more ambition from the board this summer
• The club’s American owners The 49ers are emphasizing academy improvement alongside first-team strengthening

Leeds (The Leeds Times) June 12, 2026 – Leeds United are on the brink of completing a deal to sign 16-year-old Manchester United winger Silva Mexes, with an agreement already in place for the teenager to join the Whites in the upcoming summer transfer window.

As reported by Pete O’Rourke, Transfer Correspondent of Football Insider,

“Leeds United are lining up a raid on rivals Manchester United for highly-rated youngster Silva Mexes after making contact over a deal”.

The report states that an agreement is in place for Mexes to join Leeds, and he is expected to complete the formalities of the transfer in the coming days.

According to The Talent Hunter, as reported by The Leeds Press,

“Mexes will sign his scholarship with Leeds before signing his first professional contract once he turns 17 early next year”.

The Talent Hunter further confirmed via Twitter that

“the teenager will initially sign a scholarship deal with Leeds, but an agreement is already in place for him to sign a professional contract with the Whites when he turns 17 in early 2027”.

Why Has Silva Mexes Decided Against Extending His Stay at Manchester United?

Mexes has decided against extending his stay at Old Trafford after failing to agree scholarship terms that would lead to a professional contract. As Football Insider reported,

“The 16-year-old, who joined United from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2024, has failed to agree scholarship terms leading to a pro deal and is ready to consider his options”.

Having failed to put pen to paper on a scholarship deal which would have seen him sign professional terms in the future, “a number of clubs have been placed on alert” according to Football Insider sources. Multiple clubs are now interested in the teenager, but Leeds feel they can get ahead of rivals given their previous deals for United academy stars.

Who Is Silva Mexes and What Is His Background as Son of Former Wales Striker?

Silva Mexes is the son of former Wales striker Robert Earnshaw, who played for Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest, West Brom, and made 65 Premier League appearances recording 13 goals. As reported by The Peoples Person,

“The winger is the son of former Wales striker Rob Earnshaw, who described the switch as ‘really, really special’ given the 44-year-old was a boyhood United fan”.

Mexes’ full name is Silva Mexes Tyler-Earnshaw, and he became Manchester United’s first signing of the INEOS era when he joined from Ipswich Town in May 2024 at age 14. Manchester United confirmed the signing and handed him the No7 shirt at the club.

The teenager is also a Thailand youth international, having represented Thailand’s Under-17s at the U17 Asian Cup through his mother’s side. He scored his first goal on his debut for Thailand at the U17 Asian Cup against Uzbekistan.

What Skills and Attributes Make Silva Mexes Highly Rated at Manchester United’s Academy?

Mexes is highly rated not only because of his father’s career in football but

“both for his performances in Man United’s academy and his blistering pace”

according to Football Insider. The right-footed left winger has featured for Man United at Under-16 level this term.

Described as an “unbelievable” signing by those reporting on the transfer, the tricky winger is known for his speed and technical ability. The Leeds United academy believes he is

“good enough to rise through the ranks and break into the first-team squad in the coming years”.

How Does This Transfer Follow Leeds United’s Previous Manchester United Academy Signing?

Mexes would not be the first Man United academy gem to make the switch to Elland Road in recent years. As Football Insider revealed,

“Leeds had agreed to sign Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher,”

the 17-year-old who made the switch to Leeds in February 2026.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United welcomed Serbian midfielder Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher across the Pennines in February on a deal running until 2028.

The 17-year-old, who was actually born in Leeds, has since become a regular at Under-18 level and even made five Premier League 2 appearances for the Under-21s.

Ibrovic-Fletcher is now potentially followed by his former academy teammate Mexes as he assesses his long-term future, with Mexes

“now on the verge of joining Leeds in the upcoming summer transfer window”.

What Is Leeds United’s Strategy Under The 49ers Regarding Academy Investment?

The 49ers, Leeds United’s American owners, are

“keen to strengthen the first-team squad this summer as they look to help Leeds United take another step forward in the 2026/27 season”.

At the same time, there is

“a strong emphasis on improving the academy and attracting some of the best young talent available”.

As reported by The Leeds Press,

“The long-term aim is to develop more players capable of progressing into the first team and becoming regular contributors at the senior level”.

Academies have become an increasingly valuable asset for Premier League clubs from a financial perspective, with several sides generating significant income by developing and selling homegrown players.

Even if some of these youngsters do not eventually establish themselves at Elland Road, Leeds could still make substantial profits from relatively modest investments in their development.

With financial sustainability playing an ever-greater role in modern football, building a stronger academy could prove to be both a sporting and financial advantage for Leeds in the years ahead.

What Is Leeds United’s Current Position and Managerial Ambition Following Return to Premier League?

Leeds United are working on several targets as they look to improve their squad after finishing 14th in their first season back in the Premier League.

Manager Daniel Farke wants to see more ambition from the club’s board this summer, and the Whites are looking to bring in upgrades in at least three positions this season.

However, Leeds are also in the market to snap up young and upcoming talents as they want to have a talent pool ready to break into the first-team squad in the coming years.

The club has been able to sell a move to Mexes and his family, and he will initially link up with the Under-18 and Under-21 teams.

Background: The Development of Leeds United’s Academy Recruitment Strategy From Manchester United

Leeds United’s recruitment of Manchester United academy players represents a strategic approach to youth development following their return to the Premier League. Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher, born in Leeds, returned to his home city in February 2026 when he signed a deal keeping him at Thorp Arch until 2028.

The 17-year-old Serbian midfielder has become a regular at Under-18 level and made five Premier League 2 appearances for the Under-21s.

Silva Mexes joined Manchester United from Ipswich Town in May 2024 as a 14-year-old, becoming the first signing of the INEOS era at Old Trafford. He has represented Thailand’s Under-17s internationally and scored on his debut at the U17 Asian Cup.

His father Robert Earnshaw, a former Wales striker with 65 Premier League appearances, was a boyhood United fan and described Mexes’ potential switch to Leeds as “really, really special”.

The pattern of Leeds signing Manchester United academy talent follows a broader trend in English football where clubs seek to acquire highly-rated young players who have not secured scholarship or professional contract agreements at their current clubs. Multiple clubs have now been placed on alert regarding Mexes after he failed to agree scholarship terms at Old Trafford.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Leeds United Academy Players and Supporters

This development can affect Leeds United academy players by demonstrating the club’s commitment to investing in youth development alongside first-team strengthening. The promise of a professional contract to Mexes when he turns 17 in 2027 signals to current academy prospects that Leeds offers clear pathways to professional contracts.

This could motivate existing academy players to perform at higher levels, knowing the club is actively recruiting high-quality talent and has infrastructure for progression.

The presence of two Manchester United academy signings (Ibrovic-Fletcher and Mexes) creates a competitive environment within the Under-18 and Under-21 squads.

Ibrovic-Fletcher has already become a regular at Under-18 level with five Premier League 2 appearances, setting a benchmark for Mexes to meet. Academy players will need to demonstrate they can compete with this caliber of talent to progress through the ranks.

Impact on Leeds United Supporters and Fans

For Leeds United supporters, this development affects their expectations regarding the club’s future first-team squad composition.

The emphasis on academy improvement under The 49ers suggests fans may see more homegrown players breaking into the first team in coming seasons. This aligns with traditional football club values of developing local talent, particularly significant for Ibrovic-Fletcher who was born in Leeds and returned to his home city.

The financial sustainability aspect of academy investment means supporters may witness a club model that balances first-team ambition with responsible financial management.

If academy players develop successfully, Leeds could generate substantial profits from selling homegrown players, creating revenue for further investment. This impacts fan expectations regarding the club’s long-term stability and Premier League survival after their 14th-place finish in their first season back.

Impact on the Wider West Yorkshire Football Community

The recruitment of high-profile academy talent affects the wider West Yorkshire football community by raising the profile of Leeds United’s academy at Thorp Arch.

Successful development of players like Mexes and Ibrovic-Fletcher could attract more young players from the region to join Leeds’ academy system, strengthening local football development infrastructure.

The professional contract promise to Mexes demonstrates that Leeds offers tangible pathways to professional football for academy prospects, potentially influencing young players’ decisions when choosing between academy systems across Yorkshire and the North of England.