Kaoru Mitoma ‘would do really well’ if he was to leave Brighton and Hove Albion for Premier League leaders Arsenal, former Chelsea and Aston Villa defender Andros Townsend tells talkSPORT (21 March, 4.40pm).
There are, perhaps, a few similarities between Mitoma and one Kvicha Kvaratskhelia. A pair of wand-waving wing-wizards who arrived to little fanfare before taking their respective divisions by storm with a thrilling if unorthodox approach.
Mitoma, like the Napoli superstar, is one of the best pound-for-pound signings in recent transfer windows; Brighton investing just £2.5 million in the former Kawasaki Frontale speedster during the summer of 2021.
Could Arsenal target Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma?
The Japan international has marked his breakthrough season with six assists and nine often spectacular goals; a wonderful volleyed winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup reminiscent of another South Coast hero, Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier.
Townsend believes that ‘such a talented player wouldn’t do anyone any harm’. But there is one club who stands out above the rest when discussing potential destinations for a man now worth a minimum of £35 million (Fabrizio Romano).
“Mitoma, I think, would do really well at Arsenal,” Townsend adds.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners may still be in the market for an out-and-out winger. Leandro Trossard has made a huge impression after bidding farewell to Mitoma and co in January. But he has been used as a ‘false nine’ recently at the Emirates. Mitoma, in contrast, may be a more natural alternative to Mykhalo Mudryk; the £88 million Chelsea benchwarmer who Arsenal had identified as their number one target in late-2022.
“He is an amazing player,” Tariq Lamptey tells Sky Sports; the right-back having come up against Brighton’s left-winger plenty of times in training.
“I am not going to give away any tips on how to stop him. But he is really good.”
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour, meanwhile, believes Brighton would make a huge profit if they were to cash in on Mitoma this summer.
“Brighton is the right model,” Parlour tells talkSPORT. “They bring these signings in.
“(If a club says) right, we are going to buy him, Mitoma will be probably worth £25 million now.”
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