Man Utd or Liverpool next? Paul Mitchell's best XI signings

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 10 Feb 2023 12:30 GMT
• 4 min read

Paul Mitchell is on his way out of Monaco after this summer window - and Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in his services.

His record speaks for itself: his meteoric rise from being head of recruitment at MK Dons to being a sports director at Monaco and revered across Europe. Throughout his career away from the pitch, he has discovered some real gems and world-class talent.

FootballTransfers has put together a list of the best XI players who Mitchell purchased during his time at Southampton, Tottenham, RB Leipzig, and Monaco.

GK: Alexander Nubel

Mitchell oversaw the move of Alexander Nubel to Monaco. The German was lacking in game-time for Bayern Munich and the Englishman brought him to Ligue 1 on a two-season loan, where he still remains as a first-team starter.

RB: Nathaniel Clyne

There was something of a golden generation at Southampton when Mitchell was recruiting there. One of the names he brought in was Nathaniel Clyne. The defender signed a four-year deal with the newly promoted Premier League club in 2012, before becoming England’s first-choice right-back and earning a transfer to Liverpool.

CB: Nordi Mukiele

There’s still so much to come from Nordi Mukiele. Mitchell earmarked him for RB Leipzig in 2018 and the side paid Montpellier €16m. After four seasons and 146 games for the German outfit, Paris-Saint Germain swooped in and purchased the Frenchman last summer.

CB: Eric Dier

Eric Dier was plucked from Sporting Lisbon and arrived at Spurs for €5m in 2014.

He’s been a regular starter for them for almost ten years, playing 347 games in all competitions. Though his form is capricious, there is no denying he is a bargain for what Spurs paid.

LB: Toby Alderweireld

Mitchell had brought in Toby Alderweireld to Southampton on loan when the defender was at Atletico Madrid. The Saints had a buy-out clause but the La Liga side reportedly moved the goalposts and he went back to Spain. But Mitchell pounced again when he joined Spurs, finally sealing his man on a permanent switch in 2015. Alderweireld became one of the best-performing Premier League defenders for a period.

CM: Aurelien Tchouameni

Mitchell plucked Aurelien Tchouameni from Bordeaux in 2020. Just two years later, the Frenchman was purchased by Real Madrid for €80m, a fee which could rise to €100m in additional fees. At 23 years old still, Tchouameni now has the potential to be one of the world’s best.

CM: Tyler Adams

Tyler Adams departed New York Red Bulls after being sought by Mitchell. The midfielder linked up with Jesse Marsch at RB Leipzig and enjoyed four great seasons. He reunited for a period with compatriot Marsch last summer at Leeds for €22m.

CM: Dele Alli

Mitchel used his links to MK Dons to seal the switch of Dele Alli to Spurs. Following his €7m move from the League One side, Alli became one of the most exciting English prospects around. He was linked to all the elite clubs but remained with Spurs. His career has tailed off since, however, now playing for Besiktas on loan from Everton.

ST: Son Heung-min

When Mitchell recruited Son Heung-min from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, he saw something a lot didn’t. No one would anticipate how good Son was and how well he would be performing in the subsequent years. An undeniable world-class talent, Son is now a Spurs legend and one of the Premier League’s all-time elites.

ST: Christopher Nkunku

Mitchell encouraged RB Leipzig to pay just €13m to sign Christopher Nkunku from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. The attacker is arguably the best player in the Bundesliga today, winning the 2021-22 Player of the Season award last term, and earned a mega-money move to Chelsea, with the Blues paying around €70m. Not a bad return on a PSG outcast - especially given the 64 goals he netted for them during his time there.

ST: Matheus Cunha

RB Leipzig brought in Matheus Cunha from FC Sion in 2018 when Mitchell was there. It wasn’t the best spell, but now the attacker has found himself at Wolves on loan from Atletico Madrid. There could be more to come from the Brazilian.