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Arsenal plotting summer swoop for Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma

By Ritayan Chatterjee on February 6, 2023

Arsenal are reportedly lining up a summer swoop for Brighton & Hove Albion star Kaoru Mitoma, as per The Sun.

The 25-year-old is one of the shrewd signings that the Seagulls have continuously been making over the last few years. The Japanese joined the South coast side during the summer of 2021 from J. League club Kawasaki Frontale for a fee of around £3m before spending a season-long loan with Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise last term.

The forward has established himself as an integral part of Brighton’s first eleven in recent weeks and has been displaying promising performances, scoring five goals and notching up a solitary assist in the last seven appearances in all competitions.

Following eye-catching displays in recent times, Mitoma has started to attract the attention of upper echelons of Premier League clubs.

According to the report by The Sun, Arsenal are showing an interest in signing Mitoma and they are currently leading the race to lure the 25-year-old to the Emirates Stadium. The report also states that the Seagulls could ask a fee of around £35m to let their star man leave over the coming months.

Mitoma to Arsenal

Arsenal have started to be a nuisance to Brighton in recent times. After signing Ben White in 2021 and Leandro Trossard – who had fallen out with the Seagulls’ boss Roberto De Zerbi before leaving the club – in January, the Gunners tried to purchase Moises Caicedo as well late in this winter window.

However, the South coast side made it clear that the midfielder was not for sale and in the end, they managed to keep hold of him despite the player handing in a transfer request. But, it has been suggested that Mikel Arteta’s side could reignite their interest in signing the 21-year-old at the end of this season.

And now, Arsenal are also reportedly eyeing a move for Mitoma. But, the attacker likes to be deployed on the left flank and having signed Trossard last month and also having Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe on the books, the Premier League leaders currently have enough firepower in that position.

So, it would be something of a surprise if Arsenal were to formalise their interest in signing Mitoma. However, the forward has been a revelation this term and he would be a very good acquisition if the club’s hierarchy decide to make a move for him at the end of this season.