Brighton’s Premier League rivals have shown interest in Kaoru Mitoma, but the Seagulls are doing everything they can to keep the Japan international at the club. Brighton are close to tying Kaoru Mitoma down to a new contract to ward off transfer interest from Premier League rivals.
Mitoma has established as a crucial player for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, but his contract expires in June 2025. Since joining Brighton from Kawasaki Frontale for a price of £2.7 million in 2021, the 26-year-old midfielder has provided 13 goals and 11 assists in 50 games.
Brighton are astute transfer market operators, and the club is keen to prevent Mitoma from moving for a low cost. According to TalkSPORT, the Japan international is content where he is and will shortly sign a new five-year contract with the Seagulls.
Mitoma has three goals and three assists in seven games this season, attracting interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal. United scouted him last season, but they know that if they go to the negotiation table, Brighton would demand a hard bargain.
Brighton sold Moises Caicedo to Chelsea for a record £115 million in the summer, adding another name to their amazing list of sales. Liverpool spent £45 million for Alexis MacAllister this summer, while Arsenal paid £50 million for Ben White in July 2021, and the Blues paid £60 million for Marc Cucurella in August 2022.
The Seagulls have a history of selling to Premier League clubs, with other notable transfers being Robert Sanchez (Chelsea, £25 million), Yves Bissouma (Tottenham, £25 million), and Leandro Trossard (Arsenal, £27 million).
Tony Bloom, the club’s owner, used to be a professional poker player and has been vocal about the club’s stance on player trading. “The more big clubs there are interested in our players, the more we’re doing right, so I’m delighted with that,” Bloom told The Athletic in May 2021, in reference to White, Sanchez, and Tariq Lamptey.
Leave a Reply