Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have reportedly expressed their interest in signing Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma.
The 25-year-old has elevated his game to new heights under the tutelage of Roberto De Zerbi this season and has established himself as an integral member of the Seagulls side who are challenging for a top-six finish in the Premier League.
Mitoma joined Brighton from Japanese outfit Kawasaki Frontale for just under £2m in August 2021, before enjoying a successful spell on loan with Belgian club Union SG last season, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in 29 matches.
The Japan international, who represented his country at the 2022 World Cup, struggled to make his mark under former boss Graham Potter, but he has since featured heavily under De Zerbi on the left side of attack, particularly benefitting from the January departure of Leandro Trossard to Arsenal.
Mitoma has contributed with eight goals and six assists in 26 appearances for the Seagulls across all competitions so far this season, including six goals in the Premier League, and he is just one strike away from breaking a Japanese top-flight scoring record.
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Arsenal are understood to have held an interest in Mitoma since January, but TEAMtalk claims that they now face competition from Man City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, who are all keepings tabs on his progress ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Brighton are keen to keep hold of their star winger, with the report adding that they are preparing to offer him a new club-record contract to fend off interest from potential suitors.
Mitoma is under contract at the Amex Stadium until the summer of 2025 and his current salary is believed to be one of the lowest at the club.
However, the Seagulls are allegedly ready to make the winger their highest-paid player as a reward for his sensational form this season.
De Zerbi recently labelled Mitoma a "crucial" member of his first-team squad, and believes both the winger and Brighton will benefit if he remains at the club next season.
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Speaking to Brighton's official website last week, the Italian boss said: "Mitoma is a crucial part of the team for us because one-against-one in the last 25 metres, he's one of the most important players.
"For him it's the first year in the Premier League, it's important for us, but also for him it's important for him to play another year with us.
"We don't have time to speak about the transfer market because we have another three months to play and for us to reach our targets."
Brighton have already tied down three first-team players to new contracts this month, with Solly March most recently penning fresh terms after midfield duo Adam Lallana and Moises Caicedo.
Caicedo allegedly remains a target for Arsenal, though, with Mikel Arteta's side considering a summer approach for the 21-year-old midfielder after seeing two big-money bids knocked back in January.
Oliver Thomas
