Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma subject of €65m approach from Al Nassr

Saudi Professional League membership Al Nassr have approached Brighton & Hove Albion with a proper provide to recruit winger Kaoru Mitoma.

The proposal submitted to the Premier League facet for Japan worldwide Mitoma is price €65million however has been formally rejected.

Al Nassr are working to finish the signing of striker Jhon Duran from Aston Villa and have made Mitoma, 27, the highest goal to fulfil their intention of bolstering within the large attacking areas.

Mitoma final signed a brand new contract at Brighton in October 2023 and is beneath contract till June 2027.

He joined the English group from Japanese facet Kawasaki Frontale in 2021 and spent the 2021-22 marketing campaign on mortgage at Union Saint-Gilloise, the Belgian membership which shares a majority proprietor with Brighton.

After scoring eight targets in 29 appearances for USG, Mitoma returned to Brighton for the 2022-23 season and registered 10 targets and eight assists in 41 video games. Final time period, Mitoma struggled with accidents and performed solely 19 occasions within the Premier League.

This season, Mitoma has featured in each league recreation for Fabian Hurzeler’s facet and has 5 targets and three assists in these 23 video games.

Brighton are subsequent in motion in opposition to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Striker Evan Ferguson can also be attracting curiosity and Brighton are open to the 20-year-old’s everlasting departure.

Al Nassr, in the meantime, are fourth within the Saudi Professional League, eight factors behind leaders Al Hilal. Stefano Pioli’s squad comprises a number of names acquainted to followers of European soccer, akin to Cristiano Ronaldo, Aymeric Laporte and Sadio Mane.

How possible is it Brighton take into account promoting Mitoma?

Evaluation from Brighton correspondent Andy Naylor

Brighton’s coverage on gross sales stays constant. Each the worth and the circumstances should be proper for them.

If each of these standards aren’t met, they won’t do enterprise.

For instance, Arsenal made a number of makes an attempt to purchase Moises Caicedo within the January 2023 switch window.

Brighton resisted, as a result of the bids had been too low and they didn’t need to lose the midfielder in the course of the season. Caicedo went to Chelsea that summer season for a British document payment of £115m.

Brighton nonetheless have aspirations to qualify for Europe this season and Mitoma is their No 1 left-winger, with no supporting depth.

They’d not countenance shedding him in January, particularly so near the top of the window, until it was a mind-blowing sum. The summer season might be completely different.

(Gareth Copley/Getty Photographs)