Manchester City could reportedly make a move for Brighton & Hove Albion’s silky winger Kaoru Mitoma as a replacement for Riyad Mahrez.
According to The Sun, Manchester City have earmarked Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma as a potential replacement for Algerian star Riyad Mahrez after his lucrative move to Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.
The Cityzens were boosted by the arrival of Croatian defensive sensation Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on Saturday. The treble winners’ defensive record was already absurdly strong last term. But the addition of Gvardiol could take them to the next level.
They aren’t yet done in the transfer market ahead of the new season. They are moving on to another target in the transfer window. Mahrez joined the Premier League exodus to Saudi Arabia in July, and Guardiola now lacks options in wide areas, leading to their interest in Brighton’s Japanese winger Mitoma, who could cost them up to £50 million after his breakout season at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton signed Mitoma from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale in August 2021. Mitoma spent last season on loan at sister club Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise in order to gain experience playing in Europe. The left-sided attacker did well in the Jupiler Pro League, as he managed eight goals and four assists in 29 appearances, enough to be called back into Brighton’s first team.
Since then, he has proven to be a revelation for the Seagulls and was one of Brighton’s best players under Roberto De Zerbi, having notched ten goals and seven assists in 33 matches as they took the English top-flight by storm.
The 25-year-old’s dazzling displays have resulted in links with some big teams. He has just under two years left on his contract at the Amex Stadium. Brighton are hoping to agree a new five-year contract with the winger, but he has yet to put pen to paper – seemingly keeping his options open amidst strong outside interest.
Unsurprisingly, he is attracting a lot of interest. The report adds that Arsenal and Chelsea have both seen interest in Mitoma knocked back by Brighton, who are determined to keep the lively winger around for at least another season.
High-profile exits for huge profits are nothing new at Amex, though sanctioning too many in the same window could be fatal to their ambitions. The South Coast outfit are on the verge of signing highly-coveted midfielder Mohammed Kudus, which goes on to show their aspirations for the next season.
Also Read: Brighton & Hove Albion 2023/24 Premier League Season Preview
Mitoma could yet be swayed by Guardiola’s interest. It seems this rumour is one to keep a close eye on in the final weeks of the window, but the tabloid adds that Brighton are “unlikely to let both” Caicedo and Mitoma leave this window, so the level of City’s interest in Mitoma could well have a bearing on Chelsea’s pursuit of Caicedo.
