Manchester United have reportedly been ‘alerted’ to a potential opportunity to sign Brighton forward Kaoru Mitoma this month.
The winger has been heavily linked with a move away from the Amex Stadium over the last 12 months, with Bayern Munich registering an interest and Saudi side Al-Nassr seeing their approach rebuffed.
Brighton have consistently ruled that Mitoma would not be sold though, but interest in signing the 28-year-old has not disappeared, and pursuits look set to be reignited this month.
According to TEAMtalk, the Saudi Pro League are showing a fresh interest in signing Mitoma and will table an offer if they receive any form of encouragement from the player.
The higher powers of the league felt that the Japan international was keen to make the move to the Middle East when Al-Nassr made an offer for the winger last year, and it was solely Brighton who prevented talks from progressing.
Intermediaries are therefore making contact with all parties to see whether a deal could take place over the coming weeks, with United and Tottenham also being kept informed of the situation.
Both English outfits are in the market for reinforcements out wide and have now been made aware that there could be an opening to sign Mitoma. Bayern have signed a handful of wingers since bringing their pursuit of the Seagulls star to a halt, and so they are no longer in the picture.
Mitoma’s contract with Brighton expires in 2027, and talk of a new deal has dwindled. Thus, Fabian Hurzeler’s side may need to act quickly to tie their No. 22 down to a fresh contract, or begin to plan for life without the former Kawasaki Frontale star.
Brighton are often reluctant to sell key players in January transfer windows, but a mammoth bid for Mitoma could force a tough decision at the Amex Stadium, especially if there is any sort of hesitancy to hand the forward a new deal.