Arsenal & Chelsea handed Mitoma chance as Brighton sign £30m 'replacement'

Arsenal and Chelsea have both been linked with a move for Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma in the summer transfer window

Mitoma's dribbling ability has been the forefront of what has captured the eye for most, causing plenty of trouble for opposition defenders. While there has been interest in the 25-year-old, Brighton chief Paul Barber has insisted the focus is on the remainder of the current season.

He told The Beautiful Game podcast back in March: "Obviously he's [Mitoma] another player that will be in the spotlight in the next transfer window. We're ready for that and we understand that, we just hope he can have a great second half of the season."

Whether being ready for potential approaches means having a figure in mind for a sale or batting anyway any offers remains to be seen. However, the Seagulls may well have shown their hand with their latest piece of transfer business ahead of the upcoming summer window.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Brighton have already secured the transfer of Joao Pedro from Watford on a deal worth up to £30million. The deal is said to be signed already, with the Brazilian forward showing plenty of promise in his short time in English football.

The 21-year-old can play on the left-wing as well as a centre-forward, offering plenty of versatility for a Brighton side that is well known for their ability to change around. It could then free up the possibility of a switch away for Mitoma, with the Seagulls often one step ahead in their recruitment plan.

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