One of the players Manchester City were linked with in the summer transfer window was Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton and Hove Albion.
On August 5, The Daily Star reported that Manchester City were looking at Brighton and Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma as a potential replacement for Riyad Mahrez.
Riyad Mahrez had left for Al-Ahli Saudi FC in Saudi Arabia, and City were looking to bring in a replacement winger.
The Daily Star claimed that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola found the winger very interesting and wanted to sign him.
However, no move happened.
Manchester City summer target Kaoru Mitoma signs new contract
Mitoma stayed at Brighton and continued to do well.
The winger has scored three goals and given three assists in seven Premier League starts for the Seagulls so far this season.
And, now Brighton have rewarded him with a new deal.
Brighton have announced on their official website that “Kaoru Mitoma has signed a new long-term contract that runs until June 2027.”
Brighton’s Technical director David Weir said: “Ensuring that a player of Kaoru’s quality will remain with us for the long term is fantastic news.
“Kaoru adapted to the Premier League last season and has quickly become one of our most important players.”
Manchester City could still sign Kaoru Mitoma… if they wanted to
Just because Kaoru Mitoma has signed a new contract with Brighton and Hove Albion does not mean that Manchester City will not be able to bring Kaoru Mitoma to the Etihad Stadium in the future.
I do not think that Brighton will sell Mitoma in the January transfer window.
The Seagulls will fancy a challenge for the UEFA Champions League places in the Premier League table this campaign, and I do not think that they will sell any of their best players in the middle of the season.
And that includes Mitoma.
However, Brighton could sell the Japan international winger in the summer of 2024.
After all, the Seagulls do sell their best players at the right price.
Moises Caicedo left for Chelsea in the summer of 2023, while Alexis Mac Allister moved to Liverpool.
So, Manchester City could be able to sign Mitoma in the summer of 2024 if they paid a lot of money, although some would argue that the defending Premier League champions do not need him.
