Man City eye up Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma as replacement for Riyad Mahrez

Manchester City could replace Riyad Mahrez with Brighton & Hove Albion star Kaoru Mitoma - as Pep Guardiola looks to improve his options out wide just one week before the Premier League kicks off

Posted Sunday, August 06, 2023 by Dailystar.co.uk

Manchester City are eyeing up Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma as a potential replacement for departed Riyad Mahrez.

The Seagulls, already fending off intense Chelsea interest in Ecuador midfielder Moses Caicido, could now face another scrap over the next month to keep Mitoma. The Japanese international, 26, had a brilliant first campaign in the Premier League last season, scoring seven times in 24 appearances.

And that excellent showing has caught the attention of City boss Pep Guardiola as he attempts to strengthen his options on the flanks. According to one Etihad source, Mitoma is a player the Spaniard admires - and finds 'very interesting'.

Mitoma signed for Brighton in August 2021 before spending a season in Belgium on loan at Union St Gilloise. But after returning to his parent club last summer, he lit up the Amex Stadium during the second half of 22-23, with a string of goals and assists.

Mitoma, who was a regular for Japan at the World Cup finals in Qatar, was integral to the Seagulls amazing charge into Europe under Roberto De Zerbi. Having already lost World Cup winning midfielder Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool, the South Coast outfit are putting up stubborn resistance to selling anyone else before the September deadline.

To date they have rejected three bids from Chelsea for central midfielder but are bracing themselves for another offer in the region of £90m for the 21-year-old. So the last news they need to hear is that City are considering launching a £50m plus move for Mitoma.

Whether the Treble winners do depends on whether they can persuade Crystal Palace to sell them Michael Olise.

The Frenchman remains City's top winger to bring in this summer - with Mitoma viewed as the next best alternative should they fail to get Olise.