Reds eye move for ‘super scout’

UNITED are considering a role for the transfer guru behind Dele Alli’s move to Tottenham.

Spurs’ former head of recruitment Paul Mitchell is on gardening leave after tendering his resignation at White Hart Lane. The ex-Southampton talent scout has also attracted interest from City.

Mitchell has developed a reputation as one of the game’s best talent spotters after earning Southampton huge profits on Sadio Mane, Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Graziano Pelle.

But it is the deal for Alli that has proved the most spectacular, with the England international expected to command a world record fee if he leaves Tottenham.

The 21-year-old was one of Mitchell’s first signings at Spurs arriving from MK Dons in a £5m deal in January 2015.

While David Pleat had been heavily involved in the transfer, Mitchell completed the deal, having charted Alli’s progress at the Dons, where he was former head of recruitment.

So far United’s interest has been tentative - with a view to a role similar to one he held at White Hart Lane. At City it is believed he has been considered for a more global position potentially with City Football Group - although Etihad sources insist there are no current plans to offer him a role.

United executive vicechairman Ed Woodward has come under increasing pressure to appoint a director of football since assuming control of the club’s transfer activity in 2013.

While his commercial agreements have been hugely lucrative - high-profile signings like Angel di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin have proved expensive flops.

Mitchell was key to Southampton’s talent factory, which included Mane, who Louis van Gaal tried to sign when he was in charge at Old Trafford.

Liverpool eventually signed the Senegal striker for £34m earning Southampton a profit of around £22m. Lovren (£20m) and Clyne (£12.5m) have also made big money moves to Anfield after being signed at a fraction of the cost.

At Tottenham Mitchell completed deals for Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld, whose values have soared since.