Man City 'ready to raid' Brighton for Kaoru Mitoma and more transfer rumours
Manchester City are interested in signing Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma, according to reports.
City finally secured their top summer target this past weekend after confirming the signing of RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol. The Blues have paid £77.5million to secure the centre-back who has taken the No.24 shirt at the Etihad.
Gvardiol is the second Croatian Pep Guardiola has added to his squad this summer following the signing of Mateo Kovacic but otherwise it's been a slow transfer window in terms of incomings. There could be more business to conduct before it closes on September 1 as City are interested in bolstering their attacking ranks.
Though Cole Palmer made a strong case for being Riyad Mahrez' replacement following his fine goal against Arsenal on Sunday, City have been considering spending money on replenishing their forward numbers after the Algerian left for Saudi Arabia. It's understood Crystal Palace's Michel Olise is on the club's radar and now Mitoma has been linked as well.
Also read: Pep Guardiola makes Erling Haaland prediction after early Man City change
Mitoma was the Premier League breakout star of last season and dazzled with his lightning pace and cutting edge in the attacking third. The Japanese international finished the campaign with 10 goals and eight assists.
According to The Sun, Mitoma has been identified as a 'potential replacement' for Mahrez but the Seagulls are unlikely to let him go for less than £50m. Brighton are notoriously tough negotiators as City discovered in their doomed pursuit of Marc Cucurella last summer.
Mitoma has only played on the left for Brighton but has played on the right previously in his career. Guardiola has already praised the 26-year-old, calling his impact
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