Man Utd and Arsenal scouts watch £30m-rated Brazilian striker, 20, score perfect hat-trick as European giants circle

MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal sent scouts to watch summer target Kaua Elias score a perfect hat-trick for Shakhtar Donetsk. Elias, 20, led Shakhtar to a 5-1 demolition of Kudrivka on Monday in Lviv with a header, left-footed strike, and right-footed finish in the second half. Manchester United and Arsenal sent scouts to watch Shakhtar Donetsk star Kaua Elias Credit: Getty Images – Getty Arsenal and Man Utd target Elias is also being monitored by AC Milan and Porto Credit: Getty Images – Getty SunSport understand Arsenal and United scouts were present in the stands as the striker put on a show, with AC Milan and Porto also keen on the ace. An official bid for the former Brazil youth international is expected with the Ukrainian giants rating him at about £30million. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Elias has shown signs of a complete centre-forward who can utilise both feet, pose a threat in the air and maintain his composure inside the penalty area. SunSport heard from sources that Arsenal and Man Utd talent spotters gave extremely glowing evaluations of the versatile forward. The Brazilian’s technical ability and composure in scoring opportunities were particularly emphasised as features that currently set him apart from other young forwards on the market. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is intensively looking to increase attacking depth and seeks a long-term solution at centre-forward this summer in his bid to defend the Premier League title. According to sources close to SunSport, the Gunners’ scouting team had been tracking Elias for weeks and his hat-trick heroics provided the final green light they needed to elevate their interest. Elias’ versatility fits Arteta’s system seamlessly as he is capable of both playing with his back to goal and making runs into depth. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK United also plan to make moves toward reinforcing their frontline this summer with Joshua Zirkzee’s future currently uncertain amid interest from the Serie A. SunSport understand Man Utd scouts were tasked with evaluating Elias following intelligence gathered on his recent performances. In the report sent back to Old Trafford, it was noted that the No9 is a player holding the potential to develop into a top-level centre-forward provided the right environment and managerial backing are delivered. Elias’s physical capacity and ambidextrous finishing skills are highly compatible with United’s press-heavy, fast-transition system. Both Premier League giants are capable of meeting Shakhtar’s financial demands. However, they both face competition from Milan and Porto as they are both keeping a very close eye. Rossoneri scouts delivered a favourable report and club chiefs are weighing a potential bid. The Serie A giants’ new manager Ruben Amorim‘s system demands a centre-forward profile who is reliable both physically and technically inside the box. Porto, on the other hand, are looking to continue their deep-rooted tradition of systematically developing South American talents and exporting them to European football for higher profit. According to sources close to SunSport, the Portuguese champions have been tracking Elias for a long time. Arsenal and Man Utd boost The biggest obstacle standing before Milan and Porto is the fact United and Arsenal can easily meet the player’s release clause and offer him highly lucrative packages. Shakhtar are unlikely to lower their demands as interest will increase and Elias has a contract tying him to Donetsk until 2029. The Ukrainian outfit have informed interested parties that they expect their valuation to be met in full. SunSport were told Elias is fully aware that these clubs are tracking him and his representatives have started receiving more concrete signals from interested parties. It is understood that the striker remains open to a transfer to Europe’s top leagues if presented with the right sporting project. This openness indicates that personal terms will not pose a major stumbling block. Elias has amassed a total of 12 goals and three assists in 39 appearances since joining Shakhtar from Fluminense in 2025. Comment now