Who Is This Gifted Asian Manchester City Are Trying To Sign? Everything You Need To Know

Scout Report – Tatsuya Ito

Manchester City are enjoying a flying start to the new Premier League campaign under Pep Guardiola who has guided his side to clinch the top spot of the league table for the time being and has acquired some top-notch youngsters who are destined to rule the football world with their skills, quality and excellence.

Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane, Benjamin Mendy and Ederson Moraes are few such prodigies who have already impressed the fans across the globe and have mingled perfectly with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany, who are now well-established in the league in terms of experience, consistency as well as achievements.

City’s sudden rise occurred due to hefty investments since the takeover by Sheikh Mansour, one of the football’s wealthiest owners. He has spent massively to make world-class recruitments in order to conquer the league title and has succeeded in doing so. But he has also focused on the grassroots development and has laid out money on youth set-up that is now one of the best in England.

Man City, now, are reportedly plotting a move for 20-year-old Japanese sensation Tatsuya Ito who is hailed as one of the brightest Asian talents. Ito was scouted and acquired by Bundesliga outfit Hamburger SV and joined them from the Academy of J1 side Kashiwa Reysol a couple of years back.

He has progressed through the youth ranks of Hamburg and featured regularly for their reserve side last season, who compete in the fourth tier of the German league system. His prominence earned him a place in their senior side and boss Markus Gisdol has already handed him two Bundesliga appearances this term.

Ito made it to Hamburger SV’s matchday squad against Borussia Dortmund but made his Bundesliga debut in the following fixture against Bayer Leverkusen, when he was introduced as a late substitute. He, however, made his first start of the campaign, against Werder Bremen, and had an impressive display down the left flank before being taken off in the second half. The Japanese youngster is expected to break into their senior side more often and is a favourite to appear against Mainz this weekend when the season resumes after two weeks of absence due to the international break.

Although Ito played on the left wing in both of his outings, he is capable of playing as a centre-forward as well as on the opposite flank. He is pacy, holds strong dribbling skill and loves to take on the defenders using his swift movements. A few things, however, need to be improved, including his decision making, temperament, and crossing traits. But the attacker is still a raw young talent who will flourish and develop in City’s youth system if he joins them.

The player, meanwhile, will be out of contract next summer and Inter Milan have also expressed a strong desire to bring him in. Hamburg are ready to offer him a new long-term deal in order to fend off any interest from his admirers. Both City and Inter Milan are planning for talks in January when he will be available to sign a pre-contract agreement.

Although a potential move will be a huge career step for him, Ito, at the same time, is currently enjoying first-team minutes at Bundesliga. It will be better if he decides to remain with his current employers for at least another year and will eventually have his chances to ply his trade elsewhere if he impresses at senior level.