Manchester United completes first signing of the summer

Manchester United have completed the signing of highly-rated 16-year-old Espanyol midfielder Arnau Puigmal, according to reports in Spain.

Jose Mourinho has kick-started his summer spending spree, but not in a fashion many expected him to. He has signed Espanyol youngster Arnau Puigmal from Espanyol, according to Spanish newspaper Sport. 

The news might surprise many, given that Mourinho is not known for youth development. This season, the only academy player he has placed in the first team is Axel Tuanzebe. 

The deal for Arnau Puigmal is believed to be a lucrative one, with the opportunity of first team football in a number of years reportedly guaranteed to the player. 

The purchase of Puigmal might primarily be to strengthen the academy team. Manchester United have gotten players for that sole purpose in the past, most notably signing Bolton defender Andy Kellett on loan in 2015 for the under-21 side.

Puigmal started his football career in Sant Cugat Esport FC, a small football club located in Barcelona. He was picked up by Espanyol scouts at the age of nine and has been with the academy at the club since 2010.

Puigmal played in the famed Mediterranean International Cup, a youth competition where the likes of Messi, Fabregas, Marcelo, Anderson and Lucas Leiva have played in. He led Espanyol to victory in the competition, scoring in the final for Espanyol against Barcelona in a 1-0 win and was voted the Most Valuable Player in the process.