Kaoru Mitoma is looking for a bumper new contract at Brighton amid interest from top European clubs, TBR Football can exclusively reveal.
Kaoru Mitoma has attracted a host of interest this summer, with Bayern Munich keeping tabs on his situation, whilst the Saudi Pro League are long-term admirers and tried to sign him in January.
TBR Football can confirm that Mitoma was considered by Arsenal and Chelsea earlier this summer, and he is a player appreciated across Europe, too.
We can also reveal that Atletico Madrid looked at him before they moved for Alex Baena.
Brighton player Kaoru Mitoma.
Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images
Mitoma has two years left on his deal, and TBR Football have been told by sources that his representatives have made it clear to Brighton they would like a new deal and wage rise to recognise his status within the club and the Premier League.
Kaoru Mitoma is ‘not pushing’ for a move away from Brighton this summer
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has reiterated that Mitoma isn’t trying to force his way out of the Amex this summer.
The attacker has had a lot of interest shown in him over the last couple of seasons, with this summer being no different, with Bailey believing the attacker is going to stay put.
Brighton player Kaoru Mitoma playing against Everton.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
“Mitoma is one of the Premier League’s best – no doubting that, he has told Brighton he is staying put, he is not pushing for a move despite interest from teams like Bayern Munich,” Bailey exclusively told TBR Football.
“His people believe he is due a new deal and they are ready to push for it – although Brighton, for their part, don’t seem in a hurry to tie him down.”
Kaoru Mitoma was vital for Brighton last season
As mentioned, there’s no denying that Mitoma is one of the Premier League’s best wingers.
Last season alone, the Japan international played 41 games across all competitions, scoring 11 goals and assisting his teammates on five separate occasions.
And as per Sofascore, of the 63 shots he took last season, 29 of them ended up on target, with only 12 of them being big chances that he missed.
All in all, now that it’s been revealed that the 28-year-old doesn’t want to leave Brighton, fans will be able to breathe a sigh of relief and go into the 2025-26 campaign knowing that they’ll have their best player available to them from the off.