Kaoru Mitoma on the radar of Al-Nassr as Brighton reject the opening bid for the 27-year-old Japan international.
Kaoru Mitoma received a significant offer from Saudi Pro-League club Al-Nassr but it was rejected by Brighton.
According to people with knowledge of the matter, Brighton has no need to sell and rejected the offer outright, despite the deal being estimated to be worth €65 million (£54.42 million).
Al-Nassr is expected to return with a bigger proposal, though.
Even though Brighton is certain of their position and doesn’t think Mitoma wants to leave, the 27-year-old will undoubtedly take the money seriously, so it’s not entirely out of the question that a deal will be reached.
In October 2023, Mitoma agreed to a contract renewal that would last until June 2027.
Since Brighton visited Japan prior to the current season, club executives are well aware of the commercial influence he has there and consider him to be one of the team’s most popular players.
In 2021, Mitoma left Kawasaki Frontale of the J League to join Brighton.
He is the only Brighton player to have appeared in all 23 Premier League games this season, with 92 appearances and 18 goals across all competitions.
For an estimated £65 million, Al-Nassr, whose players include Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Aymeric Laporte, is in the process of acquiring Aston Villa attacker Jhon Duran.
The Saudi Pro-League transfer deadline is on Friday evening.
Mitoma has scored 5 goals in this season of the Premier League for the Seagulls as they hope to keep up their place in the top half of the table.