Ransom ’17 times higher’ in one year→Japan ace targeted by Barcelona

Barcelona are targeting Kaoru Mitoma.

He’s a forward from Japan. He’s a compact, pacey player who uses unusual dribbles from the flanks to make an impact. He has good basic footwork, as expected from a Japanese player, and can play a variety of roles with a cool style, even when he’s playing in the middle of the park.

He grew up in the Japanese J-League before moving to Brighton in August 2021. He spent his first year gaining experience in the Belgian league before establishing himself in the Seagulls’ first team from the 2022-23 season. He was a candidate under Graham Potter, but has become an ‘ace’ under Roberto De Cherbi. Last season, he scored seven goals and provided six assists in the league alone, which was a good pace for a player whose first offensive point came in the 14th round of the league.

This season, he has improved even more. His dribbling is smoother and he’s better at controlling the tempo compared to last season, when it was a bit rougher. He’s also working better with his teammates and has become a key part of the tactics. Three goals and four assists in 11 games, including cup competitions. Arguably the best winger in the Premier League (PL) right now.

His value has skyrocketed in the past year. Last September, Mitoma was valued at just €3 million (about $4.2 billion), according to soccer statistics site TransferMarkt. Now, a year later, he’s worth €50 million ($71.1 billion). That’s a more than 17-fold increase.

Last summer, he was linked to several transfer rumors. Manchester United approached him when they were looking to strengthen their wingers, while Manchester City also considered him as a replacement for Riyad Mahrez. Barcelona, Napoli, and Liverpool have also been named as potential destinations for Mitoma.

Barcelona have been linked with a move recently. According to Fernando Polo of Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are keeping a close eye on Mitoma, with some coaches seeing him as a “complete” player. He’s not a top target, of course. Barcelona are prioritizing a defensive midfielder next summer. However, if Mitoma does not re-sign with Brighton, they are considering stepping up their pursuit of him.

The Seagulls recently offered Mitoma a new five-year contract. Chris Wheatley, a specialist soccer editor, reported that Mitoma has agreed to a new five-year contract with Brighton and will earn a weekly wage of £80,000. Leading Italian journalist Niccolo Skira also reported the same news. However, there is no official word yet.

Even if he signs a new contract, it is said that he is not for sale. “Even if he does sign a new contract, it’s unlikely he’ll stay at Brighton for long,” said British outlet EPL Index. The club is planning to sell him if the right offer comes in.” 메이저사이트