‘Kaoru Mitoma causes Brighton shock amid major transfer interest’
Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma has caused “shock” after an apparently huge decision over his future with the Seagulls.
Mitoma has been one of Brighton’s best performers since he joined the club as a relatively unknown player back in 2021 from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale.
The speedy left-winger has built a reputation as one of the most dangerous attackers in the Premier League over the last four years, and his impressive performances have seen big clubs list him as a realistic transfer target.
Football Insider revealed earlier this year that Chelsea wanted to sign Mitoma, but as their interest cooled ahead of the summer, former scout Mick Brown told Football Insider last month that London rivals Arsenal and German giants Bayern Munich were also interested in Brighton’s Japanese star.
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern were believed to be leading the race for his services, with Saudi Pro League sides also interested in Mitoma, but new revelations around his Seagulls future have blow away at least one observer.
Darren Bent makes ‘shocked’ claim amid Mitoma’s Bayern snub
Despite the high-profile interest in his signature, Sky Sports have recently reported that Mitoma has told Brighton chiefs that he wants to stay at the club and sign a new contract that better reflects his importance to the squad, with his current deal set to expire in 2027.
The 28-year-old seemingly favours staying at the AMEX Stadium over a move to Bayern or Arsenal, and former player and current pundit Darren Bent spoke of his shock at Mitoma’s decision to demand a new deal rather than leave when speaking live on talkSPORT on Friday (4 July), saying: “(I am a) big fan of his. Strange…not strange because it’s not fair…different background in terms of the way he came into football, but yeah, he has been incredible for Brighton, for sure.
“He’s only 28-years-old as well. I’m shocked that he has opted to stay where he is at, as opposed to going to Bayern Munich, one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
Brighton must offer Mitoma a suitable new deal to get him tied down quickly
Football Insider verdict
Brighton have been lauded for their successful transfer business over recent seasons, and they have been able to remain competitive in the top-flight despite a number of high-profile departures over the years.
Their latest sale has seen highly-rated forward Joao Pedro join Chelsea in a deal worth £60million [BBC], but Mitoma staying put will serve as a huge boost for the club going forward into next season.
Just last season, the 28-year-old netted 11 goals and notched four assists in 41 games in all competitions, as he bagged double figures for league goals (10) for the first time since he joined the club.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 108 | 24 | 20 |
Fabian Hurzeler is believed to be concerned about the number of players that want to leave the Seagulls ahead of the new season, but it looks as if he has nothing to be worried about regarding Mitoma’s status.
What Brighton’s hierarchy must make sure of now is that they offer their Japanese star good enough terms for him to accept and stay on, because if their offer is not good enough, he could well backtrack and look to leave this summer amid high-profile interest in his services.