Kaoru Mitoma has informed Brighton bosses that he has no intention of leaving the club this summer, according to reports.
The 28-year-old winger enjoyed his best-ever season in the Premier League as he racked up ten goals and four assists to help Brighton to an eighth-placed finish last term.
But Mitoma’s eye-catching performances are understood to have caught the attention of a number of top teams around Europe and there has been some speculation that the forward could soon be on the move.
Bayern Munich have been credited with a strong interest, with the Bundesliga champions scouring the market for a left-sided attacker to replace Leroy Sane, who joined Galatasaray last month.
Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, meanwhile, saw multiple offers knocked back by Brighton for Mitoma in the January transfer window.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
There have also been rumours that Arsenal could launch a bid to prise Mitoma away from the Amex Stadium, with Mikel Arteta keen to bring in added support and competition for Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank.
Earlier this summer, Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg reported that Mitoma had been identified by Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, as a potential alternative to the Real Madrid’s Rodrygo – the Gunners’ ‘dream’ signing.
But according to a new report from Sky Sports, Mitoma has moved to reassure Brighton’s hierarchy he remains fully committed to Fabian Hurzeler’s project – and the Japan international is keen to pen to paper on a new contract.
It’s claimed the Seagulls plan to meet with Mitoma to talk over ‘improved terms and an extension’ in due course.
Mitoma’s current deal on the south coast is due to expire in June 2027.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Brighton head coach Hurzeler said he was ‘really looking forward’ to meeting up with Mitoma again for pre-season training this week.
‘Of course, we try to keep our best players and I think Mitoma played great last season,’ the German said.
‘But it’s only because we as a club work together and then you can shine as individuals.
‘I think that’s most important, that all the players try to understand that and Mitoma understood it last season.
‘I’m really looking forward to seeing him back tomorrow and that’s the plan.’
Hurzeler has no doubts that Mitoma will continue to play an ‘important’ role going forward for the Seagulls.
‘We’re looking forward to working with him, continue working with him, trying to improve him, because I still think his limit is not reached yet,’ he added.
‘That’s our job, his job, it’s the job of everyone in the club to get the best potential out of the players and that’s what we’re looking for in pre-season.
‘I’m sure he will be an important part for us.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
