Agbonlahor hits out at Kaoru Mitoma joining Arsenal for ‘£70m’
Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Arsenal target Kaoru Mitoma to stay at Brighton for another season rather than move on this summer.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed a price tag of “£60million or £70million” won’t ensure success for the 25-year-old at a “top club”.
Sources told this site on Sunday (19 March) that Brighton have opened contract talks with Mitoma to fend off interest from Arsenal.
The Premier League leaders are monitoring the Japan international’s situation after his impressive breakthrough season in England’s top flight – as his contract is set to expire in 2025.
Mitoma has notched nine goals and six assists in 27 games for Brighton this term after spending the 2021-22 campaign on loan at Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise.
Football Insider revealed via sources on Friday (17 March) that Arsenal are lining up a “huge” summer bid for Seagulls star Moises Caicedo – who has had a similarly meteoric rise this season.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I don’t like to see players moving at the first chance they get after one good season.
“Mitoma has been excellent, obviously, for Brighton but it’s so different when you go to a top club.
“We’ve seen it so many times with players who can’t do it at the higher level after making the step up.
“Just because you have a good season doesn’t mean you’re instantly going to succeed when you move for £60million or £70million.
“I think Mitoma should stay at Brighton another season and go to the next level because they’re a club on the up.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire claims Arsenal have just taken “first step” to full takeover.