Tottenham have entered race to sign Brighton attacker Kaoru Mitoma this summer.
Tottenham Hotspur have entered the race to sign Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma this summer, according to fichajesnet via MatchdayHQ, with the Japanese international emerging as one of the most exciting attacking targets of the summer window as De Zerbi’s rebuild continues to gather pace.
The De Zerbi connection is immediately the most compelling element of this pursuit. Mitoma flourished under the Italian’s management at Brighton, developing from a promising wide player into one of the Premier League’s most dangerous and direct wingers during De Zerbi’s time at the Amex. The head coach understands precisely how to deploy Mitoma’s specific qualities, having already maximised them during their time together, and that familiarity represents a significant advantage over any rival club attempting to sell the Japanese international on an alternative project.
Mitoma’s profile addresses one of the most glaring weaknesses in Tottenham’s squad. His directness, his ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations, and his capacity to deliver from wide areas at pace is precisely the kind of attacking threat De Zerbi’s system rewards, and Tottenham have desperately lacked. The club completed the fewest through-balls in the Premier League last season, and a winger capable of stretching defences and creating space for runners would transform their attacking output almost immediately.
Kaoru Mitoma has proven himself in the Premier League
The competition for his signature will be significant. A player of Mitoma’s quality, Premier League proven and at the peak of his powers at 29, will attract interest from clubs across Europe, and Brighton will demand a substantial fee reflecting his value and the years remaining on his contract.
However, the opportunity to work again with the manager who understood his game better than anyone and helped him reach his current level could prove decisive in Tottenham’s favour. De Zerbi’s direct involvement in recruitment decisions, confirmed by Sky Sports this week, means the head coach will be actively pushing for this signing rather than simply endorsing it from a distance.
The Mitoma pursuit is the clearest indication yet that De Zerbi is using his Brighton knowledge to build his Tottenham squad, targeting players he knows, trusts, and has already proven he can get the very best from.