Mauricio Pochettino Chelsea side has joined the race to sign Japanese forward Keisuke Goto from J2 League outfit Jubilo Iwata.
Daily Mail reports that multiple other European clubs other than Chelsea are queuing up to sign the 18-year-old Goto.
West Ham United, AFC Ajax and Feyenoord Rotterdam and Sevilla are all interested in the Japanese.
Chelsea, who have invested heavily in youth in recent transfer windows, reportedly reckon Goto has the physical qualities and skills needed to do well in the Premier League.
The report adds that Kaoru Mitoma’s success at Brighton & Hove Albion last season has also made European clubs recognize the talent available in Japan.
Mitoma joined the Seagulls from Kawasaki Frontale in the summer of 2021. He spent the 2021-22 season on loan with Belgian outfit Union SG, recording eight goals and four assists in 29 games across competitions.
Brighton kept him for the 2022-23 campaign, where he put in some splendid displays. Mitoma, 26, scored ten goals and laid out eight assists in 41 games across competitions, including seven goals and six assists in 33 Premier League games.
He also averaged 1.2 key passes, 1.8 dribbles and 4.5 duels per league game, helping his side finish sixth.
They also made the semifinals of the FA Cup, where they lost to Manchester United on penalties. Mitoma scored and assisted twice apiece in five games in the competition.
The Daily Mail’s report also adds that Japan’s impressive display at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has turned heads across Europe.
The Samurai Blue made it to the Round of 16 after topping a group that had Spain and Germany. They took Croatia to penalties in the last 16 but eventually fell short.