
Brighton & Hove Albion have turned down a substantial bid from Saudi Pro League behemoths Al-Nassr for Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma.
The offer, reportedly valued at €65m (£54.42m), was swiftly rejected by Brighton, with insiders suggesting the club feels no pressure to sell the player. Despite this, it is expected that Al-Nassr may return with an improved proposal.
Brighton remain confident in their ability to retain Mitoma and believe the 27-year-old has no strong desire to leave the club. However, the financial figures involved could understandably attract Mitoma’s attention, leaving the possibility of a deal open, albeit unlikely.
Mitoma recently committed his future to Brighton by signing a contract extension in October 2023, which keeps him tied to the club until June 2027.
He is not only a key player on the pitch but also a major commercial asset, particularly in Japan. Brighton officials are fully aware of the value he brings, as evidenced by the club’s pre-season tour of Japan ahead of the current campaign.
Since joining Brighton from J.League 1 side Kawasaki Frontale in 2021, Mitoma has become a vital part of the team. After a brief loan spell at feeder club Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, Mitoma has made 92 appearances across all competitions for Brighton, scoring 18 goals. This season, he has been the only Brighton player to feature in all 23 Premier League matches so far.
Meanwhile, Al-Nassr, whose star-studded lineup includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Aymeric Laporte, is reportedly close to securing a deal for Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran for £65m, having already sold Seko Fofana to Ligue 1 side Rennes for an SPL-high fee of €20,000,000 and allowing Brazilian star Talisca to depart for Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in Turkey.
With the SPL transfer deadline looming on Friday evening, it remains to be seen whether Al-Nassr will increase their bid for Mitoma before the window closes.