Manchester United Transfer News: Luca Ercolani Deal 'Agreed,' Latest Rumours

Manchester United have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Forli youngster Luca Ercolani.

According to Simone Feroli of Italian outlet Sport in Romagna (h/t Metro's Will Giles), United have snapped up the 16-year-old from the Serie D side for £50,000 after working on the deal since the summer and subsequently trialling the centre-back in recent months.

Per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, that fee may not be entirely accurate, as FIFA will determine the level of compensation United are to pay Forli owing to the player's age—though, of course, he's unlikely to break the bank either way.

Luckhurst further notes the youngster is hardly the player the Old Trafford faithful will have been hoping for:

Indeed, after performing so solidly for much of the season, United's defence has recently struggled—which presents a serious liability given their woes at the other end.

Squawka Football summarised their earlier defensive strength ahead of their midweek tie with Newcastle United:

Then, after conceding three times against the Magpies, Squawka revealed the sharp contrast in recent fortunes:

Because of Ercolani's age, it will almost certainly be quite some time before Red Devils fans see him anywhere near the first team, and he's not going to be able to help revitalise their current flagging campaign.

However, it always pays to plan for the future, so regardless of their success in recruiting senior players this month, there's no harm in them adding to their youth setup.

United have also been linked with another 16-year-old Italian, though this one is already playing regular senior football, despite his tender age.

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The player in question is AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, with Italian outlet Sport Mediaset (h/t ESPN) having reported the youngster is a summer target for the Red Devils.

However, per sports journalist Pete O'Rourke, he will not be moving to Old Trafford:

Donnarumma took over Diego Lopez's first-team duties in October and has firmly held onto his place with a number of impressive performances.

Squawka Football hailed his early outings for the Rossoneri:

Football writer, pundit and broadcaster Mina Rzouki is an admirer of the 'keeper's calm mentality in particular:

With Donnarumma enjoying his first-team football in Milan this season, he may not be eager to join United's youth setup or at best become their No. 2. But as he continues to create headlines, he'll keep attracting interest from Europe's elite, so a move in the future isn't out of the question.