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Manchester City have weighed up a move for the transfer guru behind

spectacular rise.

Former Tottenham head of recruitment Paul Mitchell is on gardening leave after tendering his resignation at White Hart Lane.

He is in demand, with

all expressing an interest in working with him.

The former Southampton talent scout has developed a reputation as one of the best talent-spotters in football after signing players like Sadio Mane, Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Graziano Pelle during his time at St Mary’s.

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

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, it was Mitchell who completed the deal, having charted Alli’s progress at Dons, where he was previously head of recruitment.

United have shown tentative interest in appointing him in a similar role to his one at Tottenham.

City - who already have a sporting director in Txiki Begiristain - are believed to have considered him for a more global position, potentially with City Football Group. But Etihad sources insist there are no current plans to offer him a role.

Pep Guardiola has made no secret of his admiration of Mauricio Pochettino’s young squad at White Hart Lane - and has targeted a move for Kyle Walker this summer.

Mitchell was key to series of transfer successes at Southampton, which included Mane, who was sold to Liverpool for £34m last summer - at 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.