MANCHESTER UNITED have sent scouts to watch Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma this season.
The Japan international has been a sensation for Roberto De Zerbi’s side and is another huge success for the Seagulls’ recruitment team.
Brighton picked up Mitoma from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale for just £2.7million in 2021.
And after a year on loan with their sister club Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium last season, he has been a revelation.
The 25-year-old only made his full Brighton debut in August, starting against Forest Green Rovers in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
But since De Zerbi’s arrival he has bagged nine goals and laid on six assists in all competitions.
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Mitoma’s fine form and electric pace has caught the eye of bigger clubs, who have started to keep tabs on his progress.
While it is custom for the big six to have scouts at other Premier League games, those reporting for United at recent Brighton matches have done so with a focus on Mitoma.
Those reports will now also come in handy for Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag as he prepares to face Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final next month.
The Dutchman is still in the running for a cup treble this season having already won the Carabao Cup with United still in both the FA Cup and Europa League.
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However, the former Ajax boss is planning a summer clearout at Old Trafford, with Anthony Elanga and Anthony Martial both facing the chop – meaning investment will be needed out wide.
And, as has been the case at most top clubs over the past year, they are looking to Brighton to recruit.
Brighton chief Paul Barber told The Beautiful Game Podcast on Mitoma: “He’s another player that no doubt is going to be in the spotlight again come the next transfer window, but we’re ready for that and we understand that.
“We just hope he can have another second half to the season in the way that he has started it.”
The Seagulls have raked in huge sums of money through their canny recruitment in recent years, with Marc Cucurella, Yves Bissouma, Ben White, Leandro Trossard and Dan Burn all moving on for large fees.
World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister and £70million Arsenal target Moises Caicedo look to be next in line this summer, and Mitoma is not far behind.
Boss De Zerbi hopes success this season, with the Seagulls now into the FA Cup semi-finals and chasing Champions League qualification in the Premier League, can help keep his brightest stars on the south coast.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
