Brighton confident of finalising new Kaoru Mitoma contract
- Mitoma enjoyed breakout 2022/23 Premier League season with seven goals
- Also appeared four times for Japan at the 2022 World Cup
- Brighton keen to reward progress having made preliminary contact on new contract after January window
Brighton are looking to finalise a new contract for Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma before the end of the year, 90min understands.
The 26-year-old broke into the Seagulls' first-team squad in 2022/23 after two seasons with partner club Union Saint-Gilloise. He contributed seven goals and five assists as Roberto De Zerbi's side qualified for the Europa League and also made four substitute appearances for Japan at the 2022 World Cup.
Mitoma has been similarly electric in the opening weeks of the 2023/24 campaign, bagging a goal and three assists before the September international break, and Brighton are now ready to reward his progress with an improved deal.
90min previously reported discussions over a new contract began after the January transfer window earlier this year and negotiations are now advancing towards an agreement.
Mitoma's current agreement with Brighton expires in 2025. Liverpool, Manchester City, Barcelona and Napoli are among the sides keeping tabs on the skilful winger's future, but Albion are confident he is satisfied at the AMEX Stadium and will commit to fresh terms.
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Brighton CEO Paul Barber spoke to The Beautiful Game podcast about rumoured interest from other clubs earlier this year, saying: "Obviously he's [Mitoma] another player that will be in the spotlight in the next transfer window.
"We're ready for that and we understand that, we just hope he can have a great second half of the season.
"We're very fortunate from a financial point of view that we're not a club that has to sell players to survive."
The former Kawasaki Frontale star is one of a number of gems Brighton have unearthed over the past few years alongside Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo, Ben White and Leandro Trossard, all of whom have been sold for large profit.
However, Brighton still look strong despite those recent exits, with Evan Ferguson netting a hat-trick in their 3-1 victory over Newcastle before the international break. Homegrown winger Solly March has also thrived in the final third since De Zerbi's arrival.
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