Brighton have rejected an offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr for winger Kaoru Mitoma worth £54m (€65m).
It is understood the Japan international is not for sale.
Al Nassr’s move for Mitoma follows the Saudi Pro League side agreeing a £64m deal for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran.
Al Nassr have until 8.59pm (UK and Irish time) on Friday to sign players as the Saudi Pro League transfer window closes then.
Al Nassr’s deal for Colombia international Duran is part of a new Saudi strategy to focus on singing young and developing players rather than being regarded as a retirement home for ageing superstars.
Now the club Cristiano Ronaldo plays for are eyeing a move for another Premier League player in Mitoma.
The 27-year-old joined the Seagulls from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale in 2021 for a reported £2.7m before spending the 2021/22 season on loan at Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise.
Mitoma made his Brighton debut in August 2022 has since made 92 appearances in all competitions, scoring 18 goals.
Mitoma has played in all 23 Premier League games for Fabian Hurzeler’s side this season and has netted five goals.
Ronaldo behind moves for Mitoma and Duran?
Sky Sports News’ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol speaking on The Transfer Show:
“Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr, who are one of the four clubs in Saudi Arabia owned by the sovereign wealth fund so they are one of the richest clubs in Saudi Arabia.
“Even though they’ve got Ronaldo, they have not really been challenging for the title. Al Hilal are the best team in Saudi Arabia at the moment so I wonder whether Ronaldo has been putting a bit of pressure on the people upstairs at Al Nassr and saying, ‘I want to win more titles and trophies’, as he turns 40 next week.
“This is maybe why they’re going for top players like Jhon Duran and Mitoma.”
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