Brighton manager drops Mitoma transfer suggestion amid Arsenal and City interest
Roberto De Zerbi appears to have ruled out Kaoru Mitoma’s summer departure. Recent reports have linked the 25-year-old with a move away from Brighton as he continues to excel on the south coast.
Mitoma, whose contract at the Amex Stadium expires in 2025, has appeared in 23 Premier League games for the Seagulls this season, contributing directly to 12 goals.
His impressive performances have reportedly piqued the interest of Arsenal and Manchester City, giving Brighton hope of qualifying for the Champions League. As a result, he has reportedly been courting Arsenal and Manchester City.
The Japan international’s ascent to superstardom has been meteoric this season, with Leandro Trossard’s transfer to north London sparking a great run of form.
Mitoma has relished the opportunity to lead the club’s attack alongside Evan Ferguson and Solly March, with Alexis Mac Allister providing support.
Several clubs are rumored to be considering a summer move for the Japanese star, so De Zerbi has subtly deflected interest in his player. On Tuesday, Brighton hosted an open training session where young fans had the opportunity to pose questions to the Seagulls’ manager.
One supporter asked the Italian if he wanted to be Mitoma. De Zerbi replied: “Yes, because he is very fast. At the end of the session I spoke with Mitoma.
“I ask him, ‘how are you?’ I said, ‘listen, we have to improve in some situations of the football’. He said, ‘okay coach’. I said, ‘yes but we have a lot of time this year and next year!'”
Then, with a wry smile, De Zerbi looked around the room at the journalists present and said: “Okay. But do you understand? ‘Yes. Yes, I understand,’ he said.”
The Brighton manager then laughed and looked at the club’s chief executive, Paul Barber, who smiled in agreement and patted the Italian on the shoulder, implying that Mitoma will not be leaving the club in the near future.
Last month, Barber revealed on The Beautiful Game podcast that he is prepared to reject summer offers for the £50 million-rated winger.
“Obviously he’s [Mitoma] another player that will be in the spotlight in the next transfer window,” said the Brighton chief.
“We’re ready for that and we understand that, we just hope he can have a great second half of the season. We’re very fortunate from a financial point of view that we’re not a club that has to sell players to survive.”
Brighton manager drops Mitoma transfer suggestion amid Arsenal and City interest