Arsenal identify Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma as Mykhaylo Mudryk alternative

Arsenal have reportedly identified Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma as a potential alternative to Mykhaylo Mudryk. The Gunners appeared to be the frontrunners to recruit Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk earlier this month, but the Ukrainian has instead joined London rivals Chelsea for around £88.6m.

Mikel Arteta's side are now planning to delve back into the transfer market, with a forward high on their list of priorities as Gabriel Jesus is facing a lengthy period on the sidelines.

According to 90min, Mitoma is one of a number of players who Arsenal are interested in, but they are aware that they may have difficulties in luring the Japan international to the Emirates Stadium this month.

The report adds that Mitoma's Brighton teammate Leandro Trossard is considered a 'more-attainable target' for the Gunners, with the Belgian wanting to leave the Seagulls after falling out with manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Trossard, 28, excelled for Brighton before the World Cup break, recording seven goals and three assists in 13 games across all competitions, but he has since struggled to rediscover his form and has been dropped from the matchday squad in their last two matches due to an alleged training ground bust-up with a teammate.

Nevertheless, Brighton have had no problems scoring goals without the presence of Trossard in attack, with Mitoma one player who has stepped up in his absence and impressed since the appointment of De Zerbi.

Indeed, the 25-year-old started only once under former boss Graham Potter at the start of this season, but he has since started eight games under De Zerbi, scoring four goals and providing three assists including a strike against Arsenal in a 3-1 away win in the EFL Cup third round.

Mitoma, who represented Japan at the World Cup, joined Brighton in August 2021 from Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale before immediately moving on loan to Belgian side Union SG, where he recorded eight goals and four assists in 29 appearances last season.

The Kanagawa-born attacker's form for club and country over the last 12 months has been recognised as he was recently named Japan's inaugural PFA Player of the Year for 2022.

It is thought that Brighton have no interest in letting Mitoma leave the club, with the winger under contract until June 2025, but Arsenal are said to have several other attacking players on their shortlist of targets.

The report from 90min claims that the Gunners have made contact with Barcelona to discuss the availability of Raphinha and Ferran Torres, who have struggled for regular game time under Xavi.

However, both players are believed to be keen to fight for their places at Camp Nou and have no intention of leaving the club midway through the season.

Meanwhile, a separate report claims that Arsenal have also made contact with Bayer Leverkusen over a possible move for winger Moussa Diaby, who is valued by the Bundesliga club at €100m (£88.4m).

Napoli duo Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have also been linked with a big-money move to the red side of North London.