Brighton and Hove Albion have firmly rejected a substantial €65m (£54.42m) bid from Saudi Pro-League club Al-Nassr for their Japanese star winger Kaoru Mitoma. Sources close to the situation indicate that the Premier League club dismissed the offer immediately, maintaining their strong position that they have no necessity to sell.
The 27-year-old Mitoma, who joined Brighton from J League side Kawasaki Frontale in 2021, has established himself as an integral part of the team's success. His impact at the club has been significant, with 18 goals in 92 appearances across all competitions. Notably, he remains the only Brighton player to have featured in all 23 Premier League matches this season, underlining his importance to the squad.
Brighton's confidence in retaining Mitoma is bolstered by the new contract extension he signed in October 2023, which secures his services until June 2027. The club's officials are particularly mindful of Mitoma's commercial value in Japan, especially following their pre-season tour of the country before the current campaign.
Despite Brighton's initial rejection, Al-Nassr, home to global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Aymeric Laporte, is expected to return with an improved offer. While Brighton remains confident that Mitoma has no desire to leave, the substantial financial package that could be presented might warrant serious consideration from the player.
The Saudi club is already making waves in the transfer market, reportedly close to securing Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran for £65m. With the Saudi Pro-League transfer deadline approaching on Friday evening, Al-Nassr's pursuit of Mitoma could intensify in the coming days.
