Brighton & Hove Albion star Kaoru Mitoma is blowing Tariq Lamptey away in training. The Japan winger is also a transfer target of Arsenal but was in no rush to leave during January.
The Seagulls brought Mitoma to Europe from Kawasaki Frontale in August 2021 for what is now an absolute bargain £2.5m. But he spent the first 12 months of a four-year contract at the Amex Stadium out on loan. He moved to the Jupiler Pro League at Union Saint-Gilloise.
Mitoma impressed in Belgium with eight goals and four assists over 29 appearances across all competitions. The 25-year-old’s form convinced Graham Potter to afford the forward his chance in the Premier League. And Roberto De Zerbi is now reaping the rewards in charge.
Brighton have seen Mitoma adapt tremendously to the English top-flight after a bedding-in period under Potter. The 13-cap dynamo has now provided five goals and an assist over 15 league outings. He has penned seven goals and two assists in 20 games in all competitions.
Mitoma recorded his first Premier League goal against Wolves on November 5 and flipped a switch with the strike. De Zerbi has since witnessed the winger score once against Arsenal, Everton, Leicester City and AFC Bournemouth during his following six league appearances.
Mitoma blows Lamptey away at Brighton after interest from Arsenal in his transfer
Mitoma has blown Lamptey away with his efforts but the Brighton star’s displays have also earned interest from Arsenal in his transfer. 90min reported that the Gunners explored his switch in January. But Emirates Stadium chiefs felt Leandro Trossard was more attainable.
Trossard left the south coast side for north London for an initial £20m, rising to £27m with add-ons. Mitoma has now taken over the Belgian’s place. While The Telegraph also added that the Kawasaki, Kanagawa-born dynamo was in no rush to leave the Amex this January.
Now, Lamptey has praised what Mitoma is giving Brighton after overlooking interest from Arsenal in his transfer. The right-back also gets a first-hand experience of what the forward can give. He has the unenviable task of playing against Mitoma during training at Brighton.
“He is an amazing player,” Lamptey told Sky Sports. “I am not going to give away any tips on how to stop him but he is really good.”
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