Kaoru Mitoma: Brighton rejects £ 54.42 million

Brighton has rejected a significant offer from the Saudi Pro-League club al-nassr for Japan-wing Kaoru Mitoma.

The bid was assumed to be worth € 65 million. (£ 54.42 million) But sources with understanding the situation say Brighton does not need to sell and dismiss the offer by hand.

However, it is expected that AL-Nassr will return with a higher bid.

While Brighton is sure of their position and believes that Mitoma has no desire to leave, the amounts involved are bound to at least be considered serious by the 27-year-old and it cannot be completely excluded that an agreement will Go through.

Mitoma signed a contract extension in October 2023, which runs until June 2027.

He is one of the most popular players in Brighton’s team, and the club’s officials are acutely aware of the commercial influence he generated in Japan as they toured the country before the start of the current campaign.

Mitoma joined Brighton from J League Side Kawasaki Frontal in 2021.

He has made 92 performances and scored 18 goals in all competitions and is the only Brighton player who has appeared in all 23 Premier League matches so far this season.

AL-NASSR, whose players include Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte, is close to signing Aston Villa tip Jhon Duran for a reported £ 65m.

The Saudi deadline for the transfer of Pro-League is Friday night.