Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have been linked with Kaoru Mitoma, and James Milner’s verdict on his Brighton and Hove Albion teammate will surely encourage the Emirates Stadium faithful.
According to a report in talkSPORT this month, Arsenal are interested in signing Kaoru Mitoma from Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer transfer window.
The report added that Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are keen on the 26-year-old winger as well.
TalkSPORT, though, has reported that Brighton do not want to sell the Japan international winger and are confident of him signing a new long-term contract.
James Milner praise for Arsenal target Kaoru Mitoma
James Milner joined Brighton on a free transfer earlier this summer.
And the former Liverpool, Manchester City and Leeds United star has already been hugely impressed by Mitoma.
Milner told The Times about Mitoma: “Kaoru’s quiet, get on with his business, great attitude, in the gym doing his exercises.
“You see how he goes at players that he’s taking in what the defender is doing in terms of how he’s going to go past him.
“I think there’s no way he can change his body shape or change direction that quick and he manages to do it.
“He’s so tough to defend against. I haven’t had to play against him too many times in training, which is good.
“But I’m sure that will come. Fantastic player and he can get so much better in terms of goals and assists as well.
“I’m so excited to see how he keeps pushing on and improving because he’s so good.”
We do not think that Brighton will sell Mitoma between now and the end of the summer transfer window.
But, we do believe that Arsenal could be able to sign him next summer or the year after.
Although Arsenal have a very good attacking unit at the moment, there is always the need to evolve, move players on and bring in fresh faces.
Mitoma is a very good and dynamic winger who has done well for Brighton in the Premier League.
And his best years are ahead of him.
Perhaps next summer, Arsenal could be able to sign the Japan international, but the Gunners would have to pay a lot of money for him.
After all, Brighton are an established and well-run club in the Premier League, and they will not sell any of their players on the cheap.
Mitoma has made 36 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career.
The winger has scored eight goals and given seven assists in those matches.
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