Premier League duo Southampton and Manchester United are understood to be keeping an eye on Portimonense’s Primeira Liga ace Nakajima.
Southampton have made great strides since Ralph Hasenhuttl took over from Mark Hughes a month ago.
The Saints might have won just two of their six Premier League games under the affable Austrian but they look far more solid in defence and a little braver in attack, deservedly securing a victory against Arsenal while grinding out a 0-0 draw at Chelsea on Wednesday night.
With the January transfer window open, Southampton now have the ideal opportunity to back Hasenhuttl with some much needed additions.
According to O Jogo, the South Coast side have maintained their interest in the highly-rated Japanese international Shoya Nakajima and send scouts to watch him in action during Portimonense’s 2-0 win against Benfica in midweek.
Nakajima, who has five goals and five assists in the Primeira Liga this season, impressed as Rui Vitoria’s Eagles were surprisingly beaten and further enhanced his growing reputation over in Iberia.
The report adds that scouts from Manchester United, Feyenoord, Alaves and Freiburg were also in attendance with Nakajima understood to be attracting interest from a whole host of clubs.
The 24-year-old, who A Bola believe is valued at £18 million, could fill the creative void left by the departure of Dusan Tadic from Southampton to Ajax in the summer.
Nakajima occupies the same left-wing role as the Serbian did during much of his time at St Mary’s.
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