Tottenham Eye Kaoru Mitoma: Inside the £80k-a-Week Contract Standoff

Tottenham tracking Kaoru Mitoma with Roberto De Zerbi reunion on the cards

Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs monitoring Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma, with TeamTalk reporting a reunion with Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi is a live possibility as the Japan international edges towards a pivotal contract decision.

Player: Kaoru Mitoma, Brighton & Hove Albion winger
Contract: Runs until 30 June 2027 after a four-year extension signed in October 2023
Wages: Around £80,000 a week, among Brighton's better-paid players
Interested clubs: Tottenham and Liverpool, with Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid also tracking
Key factor: De Zerbi previously managed Mitoma on the south coast
Timeline: Only 91 days remaining once the January window opens

Mitoma's situation has drawn attention because his long-term future at the AMEX has grown increasingly uncertain. Talks over a new deal have stalled, and sources cited in the report suggest the player is reluctant to commit, partly because of interest from elsewhere.

Deal details

Mitoma remains under contract until 30 June 2027, having signed a four-year extension in October 2023. That agreement placed him among Brighton's better-paid players on around £80,000 a week. Despite earlier discussions, there is little indication a fresh breakthrough is close.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said in March that discussions had taken place and voiced hope that Mitoma would stay. Since then negotiations have stalled, and the report frames Mitoma as a "solid market opportunity" — wording that reflects how recruitment departments across Europe view a player drifting towards the final stretch of a deal.

Tottenham are not alone in their interest. Liverpool's admiration is framed as long standing, with their scouts rating Mitoma highly before his move from Kawasaki Frontale to Brighton. Bayern Munich are said to have tracked him extensively, Atlético Madrid retain awareness of the situation, and Arsenal have looked before. Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked in the past, though without recent substance.

The report adds that with only 91 days remaining once the January window opens, Brighton could soon be weighing up a reduced-fee sale. Clubs are not simply assessing talent; they are assessing leverage, cost and risk. Mitoma's case now touches all three.

Injury and availability

Mitoma's availability is clouded by injury. A hamstring problem in May ended his 2025-26 campaign and cost him a World Cup place. He remains on a cautious recovery programme under Hurzeler, and that reality could temper short-term demand.

The report states clearly: "Until he returns and shows his best form, any January interest is likely to be less than in previous seasons, heightening the prospects of a free transfer move away next summer instead." That may ultimately define the market, with clubs alert, the player's future open, and Brighton potentially forced into a difficult decision.

What was said

"Until he returns and shows his best form, any January interest is likely to be less than in previous seasons, heightening the prospects of a free transfer move away next summer instead."
— Source cited by TeamTalk on Mitoma's injury and market

"A solid market opportunity."
— Report describing Mitoma's contract situation

Those two lines sum up the tension. Mitoma is valued, but his fitness record means clubs will not bid aggressively in January. The "solid market opportunity" phrasing also signals that Brighton may have to accept a lower fee or risk losing him for nothing.

Hurzeler's March comments showed the club wanted him to stay. The subsequent stall suggests the player's camp is waiting to see what unfolds, especially with Spurs and Liverpool circling.

Why De Zerbi could shape Spurs' January move

Tottenham's interest has been mentioned before, but this update gives it more context. Roberto De Zerbi previously managed Kaoru Mitoma on the south coast, and that existing relationship could become relevant if Spurs decide they want a proven Premier League attacker capable of making an immediate impact.

The report notes that De Zerbi has "invested heavily at Spurs", while the side are "yet to see an uptick in form". In that environment, a wide player with Mitoma's experience, end product and tactical intelligence could be viewed as a practical winter solution. TeamTalk also describe him as a "67-goal winger", underlining the attacking return that continues to attract high-level interest.

On the pitch, Mitoma stretches games, carries the ball over distance and creates moments without needing everything built around him. Spurs have lacked that sort of sharpness at times. He would add depth and competition in wide areas, which becomes crucial during a packed second half of the season. The hamstring issue is an understandable concern, but if De Zerbi believes he can get the best out of him again, supporters would be entitled to trust that judgement.

Talking points

Should Tottenham prioritise a winger coming off a hamstring injury over a fully fit alternative, simply because De Zerbi knows him?
Brighton risk losing Mitoma for nothing next summer. Is a reduced January fee better than keeping him for a relegation battle?
Liverpool's long-standing interest suggests they could hijack any Spurs move. Would Mitoma choose Merseyside over a De Zerbi reunion?
If Mitoma is not ready to contribute immediately, does a January deal make sense for Spurs at all?

What happens next

Brighton face a decision as the January window approaches. With 91 days until it opens, the club must decide whether to accept a reduced fee or hold out for a new contract. Spurs and Liverpool remain alert, and Mitoma's recovery will determine whether any bid arrives in January or next summer. De Zerbi's influence could be decisive.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kaoru Mitoma leaving Brighton?

His future at the AMEX has grown increasingly uncertain, with contract talks stalled and interest from Tottenham and Liverpool. A January sale or a free transfer next summer are possibilities.

Which clubs want to sign Kaoru Mitoma?

Tottenham and Liverpool are said to be alert. Bayern Munich have tracked him extensively, Atlético Madrid retain awareness, and Arsenal have looked before.