Mitoma gets a break at start of what could be a summer of transfer talk…
Kaoru Mitoma has been given extra time to rest after his stop-start Premier League run-in.
It comes at the start of what is likely to be a summer of transfer speculation surrounding the popular Japan winger.
He is said to be of interest to Bayern Munich while there are reports in Holland that the Seagulls are eyeing Feyenoord left winger Igor Paixao.
Mitoma is one of 14 senior players left out of Japan’s final two World Cup qualifiers.
With the Samurai Blue having long since booked their ticket to the 2026 finals, coach Moriyasu Hajime has taken the chance to make changes against Indonesia and Australia.
The move has caused controversy in the Far East with play-off places still up for grabs.
But Mitoma is among the players who could benefit.
The Seagulls star came off the bench in games towards the end of the Prem campaign.
He did so to stunning effect in the 3-2 win over Liverpool and the 4-1 success at Tottenham.
£10m winger on board with Albion as transfer window opens
Why has Albion teen slipped out of the limelight ahead of big summer move?
‘I’ve been privileged’ – coach says farewell and tips Albion for big things
Mitoma’s last six appearances were all as a sub, with his team scoring ten goals and conceding two while he was on the pitch.
His last full game was back on April 2 in the 3-0 home defeat by Aston Villa.
He was affected by a heel injury late in the season and also appeared to be holding his back at times, although he told The Argus on awards night that the latter was not an issue.
Speaking ahead of the season finale at Tottenham, Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: “We have to manage him.
“He has some small minor issues, not big issues, otherwise he can’t play.
“But overall he is not in his highest level regarding physicality, regarding readiness for the games.
“We really have to manage him but we know he has unbelievable individual qualities so it is always good to have him in the squad and to bring him on as sub.”
Mitoma’s future is likely to be a talking point this summer, especially with Albion not playing in Europe next season.
One-to-one: Hurzeler takes us through debut season as Albion boss and looks ahead
He had very specific ambitions early in his career to play in the Bundesliga and Champions League, as set out in a career plan which he compiled while at university in Tsukuba and was shown to The Argus last summer.
But he has not spoken about a move.
Paixao would cost a fee in the same ballpark as the record £40 million Albion paid Leeds for Georginio Rutter.
Sources close to Feyenoord have been told there is interest from clubs including the Seagulls, Leeds and Marseille but no negotiations.
Meanwhile Mitoma’s summer break – and that of other senior Japan players – is a talking point.
China are three points behind Indonesia in the race for a play-off spot and fear their rivals have been handed an unfair advantage for the final fixtures.
Media outlet Sohu reported: “There is a shocking abnormality in the World Cup qualifiers!
“With Japan’s main players out, the Chinese national team looks like it will be the biggest victim.”
About The Author
