Brighton reject £61m bid for Kaoru Mitoma from Saudi Pro League’s Al Nassr | OneFootball

As reported by Andy Naylor of The Athletic, Brighton & Hove Albion have rejected a £61m (€73m) bid for Kauru Mitoma from Saudi Arabian club Al Nasrr.

The bid – which would have seen Mitoma become Brighton’s second highest sale – is the second The Seagulls have rejected from Al Nassr, who previously offered £54m (€65m) for the Japan International.

The Saudi Pro League sides’ pursuit of Mitoma comes as another sign of their ambition to strengthen this January, with Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran reportedly set to sign for €77m.

As for Mitoma, Brighton owner Tony Bloom has turned down a sizable profit to keep hold of the left-winger, having signed him for just £3m in 2021 from Kawasaki Frontale.

The 27-year-old had an impressive debut Premier League season in 2022/23, helping his side qualify for European football for the first time in their history. Mitoma was limited to just 15 league starts due to injury last season, but has been a prominent feature in new Manager Fabian Hürzeler’s lineup, scoring five and assisting three in 20 league starts.

As such, Brighton clearly view the forward as a crucial member of their squad for both the present and the future, despite his current contract expiring in June 2027.

Mitoma is expected to make his next appearance for the South Coast side away at Nottingham Forest on February 1st tomorrow afternoon.

Travis Levison | Get Football