Frank Christian
Arsenal concluded the 2024/25 Premier League season in second place, marking their third consecutive year in this position. Mikel Arteta aims to build a squad that can fiercely compete against top teams like Liverpool and Manchester City.
As such, the North London club is exploring talent across various positions. A critical need lies in their attacking front, where they seek not just a high-scoring striker but also wingers capable of sharing the goal-scoring workload.
Currently, Arsenal is eyeing players such as Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Goes. According to reports from Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, they have also pinpointed Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma as a key summer acquisition.
The Japanese forward has garnered attention from Bayern Munich as well. Following a setback in the pursuit of Florian Wirtz, the Bavarian club might also face the prospect of losing Leroy Sane, who has yet to extend his contract.
Mitoma would fit seamlessly into Vincent Kompany’s squad. The 28-year-old has shone at Brighton, exhibiting remarkable dribbling and ball control, tallying 10 goals and providing four assists in 36 Premier League matches this season.
Bayern’s executives, Max Eberl and Christoph Freund, have reportedly met with Mitoma’s agents for a productive discussion, suggesting the player’s openness to a move to Germany. Brighton is believed to have set an asking price of €50 million (£42 million).
Where will Mitoma land this summer?
Interestingly, both Arsenal and Bayern Munich have similar needs regarding their search for wingers, leading them to target comparable talents in the transfer market.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Rodrygo, should he leave Madrid, is widely acknowledged. Arteta admires the Brazilian’s versatility in attack. A successful acquisition of Rodrygo would likely eliminate the need for alternative options and send a clear message to rival teams.
At present, Arsenal and Bayern are both interested in Mitoma, and they are exploring connections with AC Milan’s Rafael Leao as well.
The Rossoneri have recently reduced their asking price for the Portuguese star, increasing the chances of a bidding war between the two clubs for his signature. Ultimately, this will rely on each team’s specific needs and preferences.
Despite the ongoing discussions, Mitoma is likely to come at a significantly lower price than Leao, making him an appealing option for a team looking to bolster various areas during the transfer window.
Ultimately, the decisions rest with Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta as they evaluate their options ahead of a hectic summer transfer period.
Updates on Arsenal and Related Information
- Roy Keane commends Arsenal for their resilience against EPL champions Liverpool
- Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres shares a brief message amid transfer rumors
- Mikel Arteta reveals the list of four players leaving in Arsenal’s summer update
